MARIENVILLE — The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service has proposed to charge new fees at Twin Lakes Recreation Area (Twin Lakes) located on the Allegheny National Forest. In the past, fees were charged at this site.
This proposal is to reinstate fees for the Twin Lakes Campground, assuring a reliable source of revenue that can be used to offset the operating and routine maintenance costs associated with the campground. In addition to camping fees, the Forest Service proposes a fee for the rental of the main pavilion for group activities. The revenue generated at Twin Lakes through the proposed fees will be spent at Twin Lakes. There is no proposal to reinstate fees for general day-use at Twin Lakes.
Since 2018, the Allegheny National Forest has worked in partnership with the non-profit Friends of Twin Lakes ANF (Friends) to operate the campground and day-use area at Twin Lakes. This fee proposal is intended to strengthen that partnership, providing a base income for the Forest Service to pay operating costs, while allowing the Friends to supplement that income through staffing, donations, and fundraisers to invest in improvements at Twin Lakes. The Forest Service and the Friends are working together to develop a long-term participating agreement and a sustainable management plan for Twin Lakes with a schedule of investments to improve infrastructure and services while maintaining the historic and scenic resources.
As part of reinstating fees for camping at Twin Lakes, the Forest Service and the Friends are working together to reinstate basic services, such as potable water and wastewater treatment. Twin Lakes is the only developed campground on the Allegheny National Forest that does not charge fees. Even with these reinstated fees, the majority of developed recreation facilities on the Allegheny National Forest remain free to the public.
“We recognize the importance of Twin Lakes to our partners and our local communities, as well as its historic and social significance, and its attraction to visitors of all kinds to the Allegheny National Forest. Reinstating these fees will provide a sustainable source of income to maintain Twin Lakes, while allowing our partner’s, the Friends of Twin Lakes ANF, to focus their fundraising on reinvestment in infrastructure and services. The Friends of Twin Lakes ANF has proven a model for harnessing the passion, muscle, and considerable resources of a dedicated group of citizens, willing to organize and commit themselves to work with the Forest Service to maintain and improve vital recreation assets on public lands” said Rob Fallon, Marienville District Ranger. “During this public input period, we want to hear strategies and other ideas to help manage the operating costs for Twin Lakes as well as all recreation facilities on the Allegheny National Forest.”
The proposed fees by site are $12 per standard campsite at Twin Lakes campground, with $6 for electric hookup. At the group campsites, the fee would be $50 a night for a group of up to 50 people. For the main pavilion, the fee would be $35 per half day, or $50 per full day.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes to the developed recreation program. The comment period is set to end by close of business on Oct. 5th, 2021. To ensure that comments are considered, send comments no later than the above date to Allegheny National Forest, Attention: Justin Woldt/Fee Change, 29 Forest Service Drive Bradford, PA 16701 or justin.woldt@usda.gov. Comments can also be submitted online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny.
Oral comments must be provided to our Marienville Ranger District Office by calling 814-927-6628 during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) and indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes. For more information on the forest, visit our website athttp://www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny.
Once public involvement is complete, the proposed fee changes will be reviewed by the Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, who will then submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.
