Forwarding this message, originally from 'Escapees' because of the great
number of members of these lists that use the Senior Pass in Federal
Campgrounds.

Escapees  E-News Release
U.S.  Forest Service Announces Proposed Changes to  Senior and Disabled
Camping Discounts
12/4/2009
A news release from  the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition was forwarded to us
at headquarters by a  fellow Escapee. That news release, which publicizes
the U.S. Forest Service’s  plans to reduce or eliminate some current
discount
programs, is excerpted  below. Needless to say, any change in the senior
and disabled park pass  programs has the potential to affect a large number
of
RVers and outdoor  enthusiasts.
<Begin excerpted  news release

December  2, 2009
For  immediate release
Contact: Kitty Benzar  970-259-4616 _wsnofee@gmail.com_
(mailto:wsnofee@gmail.com)
_http://www.WesternSlopeNoFee.org_ (http://www.westernslopenofee.org/)
Forest  Service to Eliminate Senior and Disabled Camping  Discounts
DURANGO,  CO - The  U.S. Forest Service has announced it plans to eliminate
the 50% discount at  National Forest campgrounds that has traditionally
been available to  holders of lifetime Senior and Access (permanent
disability)
passes. The  change will apply at campgrounds operated by private
concessioners, which  represent 50% of National Forest camping capacity and
82% of
reservable  campsites.
Under current policy,  concessioners are required to honor Senior and
Access passes  forcampground fees under the same terms as if the Forest
Service
operated  the facility directly, meaning that a 50% discount must be
offered.
Most  highly developed campgrounds are now  concessioner-run.
In a notice in the  _December 1st Federal  Register_
(http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-28744.htm) , the agency outlined a
new  policy that would
replace the half-price rule that has been in place since the  mid-'60s with
a
10% discount. The policy would also require Senior  and Access pass holders
to pay a fee at National Forest day-use  sites that are currently covered
in full by their  passes.
Day-use sites managed  by concessioners will also be affected. Under the
new policy, holders of the  annual America the  Beautiful  Pass would be
entitled to  free entry, but Senior and Access lifetime pass holders would
get
only a  10% discount. This changes current policy, which calls for all three
passes to be  honored equally at day-use fee sites.
Seniors 62 and older  pay a one-time $10 fee for their lifetime pass.
Lifetime passes for the  permanently disabled are free. Together, Senior and
Access  passes represent more than 78% of all pass sales.

<End excerpted  news release>
We strongly suggest  that you take a moment to tell the U.S. Forest Service
what you think by  clicking on the comment link below, or by sending your
comments viapostal  mail. You may also wish to contact your state and
Federal
representatives as  well.
Comments must be  received in writing by February 1, 2010.
You can send  comments electronically by following the instructions at the
Federal  eRulemaking portal at _http://www.regulations.gov_
(http://www.regulations.gov/) , or  utilize this link:
_
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480a60f36_
(
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480a60f36
)
Comments also may be  submitted by mail:

U.S.  Forest Service, Attn: Carolyn  Holbrook
Recreation and  Heritage Resources Staff
1400 Independence  Avenue, SW., Stop 1125
Washington,  DC 20250-1125

Comments sent by  postal mail should reference the notice by the following
title:
Proposed Directives  for Forest Service Concession Campground  Special Use
Permits (Document ID  FS-2009-0001-0001)