United States    Forest     Wayah Ranger            90 Sloan Road             
Department of    Service    District                Franklin, NC  28734       
Agriculture                                         704/524-6441              
                                                                              

NEWS RELEASE            NEWS RELEASE             NEWS RELEASE

February 6, 1998

                                       For more information contact:
                                       Sally Browning or Mike Wilkins
                                       Wayah Ranger District
                                       704/524-6441

                 FOREST SERVICE UPDATE ON THE NANTAHALA RIVER

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

In 1997, the Forest Service charged S3/day or S12/season pass to park at the
Nantahala Launch Site.  In 1998, the Forest Service will charge a river use fee
instead of a parking fee.  The Forest Service decided that the river use fee
would be more equitable to both private and commercial paddlers.  The fee will
be S1/day/person to use the river or S5/person for a season pass.  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.  The season and daily passes will be waterproof bracelets in
various colors.  The outfitters will also pay a river use fee as they did in
1997.

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 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.  Over time we plan to work towards more barrier-free accessible areas 
in the Nantahala Gorge.

This year the Wayah Ranger District has received special funding from Congress
for some needed improvements in the Nantahala Gorge.  The main emphasis for
these funds will be the construction of modern restroom facility at Ferebee.
Current plans are to prepare a design this season and award a construction
contract in the fall of 1998.

For more information or season passes:  Contact the Wayah Ranger District, 90
Sloan Rd., Franklin, NC 28734 or call 704/524-6441 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.

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