Proposed fees for Huron, Mainistee national forests could bring in ‘much-needed funds’

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to increase or add new recreation fees in Huron and Manistee national forests to raise money the federal agency said is needed to help operate, maintain, and enhance these protected and managed woodland areas.

Planning an outdoor weekend at the Hungerford Lake Recreation Area Campground in Big Rapids?

If the changes take effect, it could cost you a little more. The proposal would increase fees, in many cases, by about $5, and in others, add entirely new fees, such requiring a $5-$30 pass to enter an area depending on whether it was for the day, week or all year.

"Our fees have not increased in many years, but the cost of operating sites has," Nick Edington, the recreation program manager for the forests, said. "If approved, the fee proposal will bring us closer to fee levels charged by other nearby public and private campgrounds and recreation providers and allow us to continue to maintain a high standard at our sites."

But before approving the change, you'll get a chance to weigh in on whether you think they are a good — or not so good — idea by writing or calling in your comments through Sept. 1. The changes will be reviewed by a resource advisory committee , which will submit its recommendation for a decision.

At the moment, the forest service said, no fees are being collected at more than half of the nearly 200 recreation sites in the two forests, and that's an opportunity to bring in some much-needed funds. Several of these sites offer boat launches, overnight camping and other recreational opportunities, and while you, in a sense, already are part-owners of the forest land, because it's public property, the recreation sites require money to operate.

The agency said it's allowed to raise money from recreation fees through the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which was passed in 2004. The law permits the forest service to keep the money collected at certain sites and use it to operate and enhance the forest.

Increasing fees, the forest service said, will improve the sustainability and accessibility to the public land, and, in a sense, helps cover the cost to use it. The fees, if you are comparing them with other recreational activities, are still much less than what it might cost to stay at a Great Wolf Lodge or a ticket to Michigan's Adventure.

The Huron National Forest, in northeast lower Michigan, was created in 1909 and covers more than 430,000 acres. The Manistee National Forest, in northwest lower Michigan, was created in 1938 and is more than 100,000 acres larger than the Huron forest.

In 1945, the two forests — which are not adjacent — were put under the same administrative jurisdiction.

The Huron forest is susceptible to seasonal forest fires, and home to jack pine trees, which are home to certain Kirtland’s warbler and which drop needles that are extremely flammable. The forest soil is sandy, a result of melting glaciers that once moved over parts of the state.

The Manistee forest, which includes many lakes and is on Lake Michigan, is popular for fishing, camping, boating, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and hunting. The North Country Trail , a 4,800-mile trail that passes through eight states, runs through the forest.

More: A 52-mile hike through a Michigan forest brings a father and son closer together

The long list of proposed changes can be found online .

To comment on them, write to Huron-Manistee National Forests, Attention: Recreation Fee Proposal, 1755 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac, MI 49601 or email sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov or on the Eastern Region recreation fee proposal website . You also can call to comment at 231-775-2421.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Proposed fees for Huron, Mainistee national forests could bring in ‘much-needed funds’