The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is asking for public feedback on six draft Recreation Business Plans aimed at modernizing the management of recreation fee sites across Arizona.
These plans propose fee adjustments at various campgrounds and recreation areas, including Hot Well Dunes near Safford and several Long-Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) and amenity sites near Ehrenberg, Quartzite, Oxbow, and Yuma. Other locations affected by the proposed changes include Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground near Gila Bend, San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area near Hereford, and Stateline Campground near Kanab, Utah.
In a press release, the proposed updates are based on a market analysis that found existing recreation fees in Arizona were “below local market standards.” According to Gerald Davis, BLM Arizona Deputy State’s director for resources and planning, the business plans for these recreation sites have not been updated for decades.
“The updated plans would enable the BLM to improve services and amenities in order to ensure these sites provide the exceptional experiences that visitors to public lands deserve,” Davis explained.
Recreation fees collected at these sites are reinvested back into the local recreation programs, as outlined by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) of 2004.
BLM noted a significant rise in public land usage over the last five years, with visitation increasing from 4.9 million to 6.8 million visitors annually. However, the agency’s budget per visitor has not kept pace with the growing demand.
“Those increases have caused wear and tear,” Davis said. “The BLM is seeking public input on proposed fee increases that would help us keep pace with the rising cost of operations and maintenance.”
The public can review the proposed plans and submit comments through the interactive StoryMap or the Draft Business Plans website. The comment period will close on October 21.
For more information about the proposed changes, visit blm.gov.