US Forest Service waives fees during Veterans Day weekend

US Forest Service waives fees during Veterans Day weekend

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The U.S. Forest Service is waiving fees at most of its day-use recreation sites over the Veterans Day holiday weekend, Nov. 10-12.

The fee waivers – the fourth this year -- are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

“This is our way of saying thanks to the brave men and women – past and present – who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe at home,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.  “We encourage veterans, their families and all visitors to take time out over the holiday weekend to enjoy the benefits that nature provides at forests and grasslands throughout the country.”

The National Forests in Florida recreation sites listed are the only locations waiving day-use fees for Veterans Day:

Ocala National Forest	Apalachicola National Forest	Osceola National Forest
Fore Lake Day Use	Leon Sinks Geological Area	Olustee Beach Day Use Area
Farles Day Use
Lake Eaton Boat Ramp & Pier
Mill Dam Boat Ramp and Swim area Lake Dorr Boat Ramp

The fee waiver days support the goals of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative and First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Outside.”

Traditionally, fees are not charged on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands, and approximately two-thirds of developed recreation sites in national forests and grasslands can be used for free. Many recreation opportunities such as camping, sightseeing and hiking can be enjoyed throughout the year at no cost.

The Forest Service operates approximately 17,000 developed recreation sites nationwide.  Of those, approximately 6,000 require recreation fees, which are used to provide visitor services, repairs and replacements, and facilities maintenance.

The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Forest Service lands contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply, a value estimated at $27 billion per year.

For more information contact the National Forests in Florida local Ranger District Offices:

Apalachicola National Forest:   Apalachicola Ranger District, (850) 643-2282; Wakulla Ranger District, (850) 926-3561

Ocala National Forest:  Lake George Ranger District, (352) 625-2520; Seminole Ranger District, (352) 669-3153

Osceola National Forest:  Osceola Ranger District, (386) 752-2577

To learn more about the National Forests in Florida, visit www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida or  follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NFinFlorida. 

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