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Flathead National Forest Proposes Fee Increases

North Fork of the Flathead River
U.S. Forest Service
North Fork of the Flathead River

The Flathead National Forest is proposing an increase in fees for renting 12 cabins and lookouts and one campground. The proposal also includes a new fee for one campground.

Almost all of the money would go towards operating and maintaining local cabins and campgrounds. Public Affairs Officer for the forest Janette Turk said the forest needs to increase fees to pay for improvements like roads and daily patrols in campgrounds and new furniture and appliances in the cabins.

"Well, cost of goods and services goes up every year, just like cost of living goes up every year," Turk said.

The changes would affect cabins and campgrounds in the Hungry Horse, Spotted Bear and Swan Lake ranger districts including the Wurtz cabin, the Spotted Bear Campground and the Swan Lake Guard Station.

Under the proposal, the price for renting higher-end cabins would increase from about $65 a night to around $85. Simpler cabins would cost slightly less, and renting a space at a campground would cost between $10 and $13.

Yesterday, the Bitterroot National Forest also proposed raising fees at several campgrounds there.

The public can submit comments on the proposal until November 20 via email, phone or by visiting the forest’s website.

To comment visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r1recfee or contact Chris Prew at (406) 758-3538.  You can mail comments to: Chris Prew, Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901 or email comments to r1recfee@fs.fed.us.

Copyright 2020 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Matt Blois is a reporter and evening news host.