Those familiar with the Delta for longer than the recent few years knows just how dramatically usage has increased over the years. Since before our formation as FSRD in 2005, visitors to the Delta would have to contend with ~40 vehicles at most, on a busy weekend, parked in a rutted dirt and gravel pullout along the freeway on/off ramp. Today, with ~100 parking stalls, overflow parking is guaranteed to extend down the length of Jordan Road during good weather.
This heavy use significantly stretches the resources of our volunteer group, and the Forest Service who administers the area.
When we first began our association with the Forest Service and the other stakeholders at the Delta, there was no expectation of fees being applied to the Delta for various reasons. It has now reached the point where inclusion in the Fee Program makes sense.
The Northwest Forest Pass, which many visitors already likely have, will cover this $5 / day proposed fee, as well as other interagency passes such as Senior, Military, and Every Kid in a Park passes.
This fee application will allow funds to be earmarked for the Delta to cover such things as trash service, toilet and parking lot maintenance, as well trail maintenance, and servicing the field trash cans – activities we (FSRD) have a hand in.
The Forest Service is inviting public comment until August 21st, 2017, after which there will be public meeting(s) in September 2017 to be announced.
Please see the News Release here for more information:
2017-NR-SRDFeeProposalFRN
Or visit the USFS CRGNSA page on this proposal here:
Sandy River Delta Fee Proposal (USFS-CRGNSA)
Instructions for commenting (also included in the above links):
Contact Lorelei Haukness, Recreation Program Manager at:
Email: comments-pacificnorthwest-columbia-river-gorge-nsa@fs.fed.us
Use Subject: “Sandy River Delta”
Phone: (541) 308-1700
