NATIONAL-NEWS-RELEASE: USDA Forest Service Remaining Fee Waiver Dates

[Press Office <pressoffice@xxxxxxxxx>]

NEWS RELEASE

USDA FOREST SERVICE
Press Office
201 14th Street, SW
Washington, D.C., 20024
Voice (202) 205-1134
Web:  http://www.fs.fed.us

Release No.1013
Contact: Press Office, 202-205-1134

USDA Forest Service Remaining Fee Waiver
Dates

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2010 - Continuing
to get folks to visit the great outdoors, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell
is offering his agency's second fee waiver weekend this summer on August
14-15.
 
"The Forest Service is working
to ensure as many visitors as possible have the opportunity to experience
the great outdoors and take advantage of the many recreational activities
national forests have to offer," said Tidwell.  "By waiving
fees, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonder and rejuvenation
of recreation on national forests."

These fee waivers are offered in cooperation
with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement
Act (REA) and aside from the August waiver, other dates throughout the
year will be fee waived as well.

The remaining Fee Waiver dates for 2010
are as follows:
• Back-to-School Season - Aug.14-15,
- fees will be waived for Saturday and Sunday.
• National Public Lands Day - Sept
25, 2010 -This fee waiver is offered every year.
• Veterans' Day - Nov. 11, 2010 - This
fee waiver is offered every year.

The Fee Waiver weekends support the
goals of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Conference and First
Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative by actively supporting
and promoting programs, projects and initiatives that encourage the use
of the outdoors by the public. The waiver will allow people to explore
our nation's forests, which offer a wide range of recreation and educational
benefits such as:  improved physical and mental health, emotional
well being, a concern for nature, and a conservation ethic.

Traditionally, fees are not charged
on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands and over two-thirds of
developed recreation sites can be used for free.  Many recreation
opportunities such as camping, sightseeing and hiking can be enjoyed throughout
the year at no cost.  The Forest Service operates about 17,000 recreation
sites.  Of those sites, approximately 6,000 require a fee at recreation
sites which provide visitor services, needed maintenance/repairs, and recreational
facilities and services.
 
The mission of the USDA Forest Service
is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests
and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The
Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to
State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research
organization in the world. 
 
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider,
employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA,
Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).







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