Nantahala River 1999 Boating Fees and Improvements Announced

January 26, 1999

In 1995, Congress passed legislation that implemented a pilot fee system called

the Fee Demonstration Project. The Fee Demonstration Project allows for up to

80% of the funds collected at a site to go back into the area for upkeep,

administration, safety and security, and new improvements. Previously fees

collected at recreation sites went to the General Treasury of the United States

and could not be used at the recreation sites where they were collected. The

Nantahala Gorge was selected as one of the Fee Demonstration sites in 1996.

In 1997, the Forest Service charged $3/day or $12/season pass to park at the

Nantahala River Launch Site. In 1998, the Forest Service charged a recreation

use fee instead of a parking fee. The fee was $1/day/person to use the river

facilities or $5/person for a season pass.

The Forest Service had a successful 1998 season with the new system and will

use the same system and prices for 1999. Forest Service personnel will be at

the Nantahala River Launch site on heavy use weekends to sell the passes. The

season passes will be available at the Wayah Ranger District office in

Franklin, North Carolina during regular business hours and by mail. Mail

requests must include the $5 payment, name and address.

The season and daily passes will be waterproof bracelets in various colors.

Season passes are for one individual and cannot be transferred from person to

person. If you loose a season pass, you will have to purchase a new one. We

will be happy to replace damaged bracelets. Fee envelopes need to be used when

Forest Service personnel are not at the site. The outfitters will also pay a

\recreation use fee as they did in 1997 and 1998.

Some of the projects and improvements planned that will be partially funded

with the fee demonstration revenues are: the maintenance and enhancement of all

facilities at the Nantahala River Launch Site, the overflow parking area, the

Patton's Run parking and viewing area, the Ferebee Recreation Area, the

Beaching Area, the parking at the Beaching Area, the Nantahala Falls sidewalk

and viewing area, and the commercial and private take-outs for the Nantahala

River.

The new private take-out up river from River's End will be finished in the late

spring of 1999. We have begun work on the septic system for a new toilet

facility at Ferebee Memorial Recreation Area. This new facility is being made

possible by special funding from Congress, the Fee Demonstration Project and by

funds collected from the outfitters for their use of the river. We plan to

begin work on changing rooms at the Nantahala River Launch Site this spring.

We are in the design stages of constructing a pedestrian bridge across

Silvermine Creek.

The Forest Service will again provide increased visitor information, customer

service and safety. Over time we plan to work towards more barrier-free

accessible areas at the following areas: Nantahala River Launch Site, Ferebee

Recreation Area, the beaching area, Nantahala Falls sidewalk and viewing area,

and at the commercial and private take-outs.

For more information or season passes: Contact the Wayah Ranger District, 90

Sloan Rd., Franklin, NC 28734 or call 828/524-6441 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to

4:30 p.m. Season passes are also available at Brookside Campground, Endless

River Adventures, and at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.