Statement from Nordic United on USFS Fee Changes

A public open house hosted by the Forest Service will take place on Tuesday August 30 th
from 5:00-7:00 pm at Elk Ridge Park (2500 N 1900 E North Logan, UT). 
Greetings Nordic United Members,
​
There are potential changes coming to winter usage in Cache Valley. The U.S. Forest Service
proposes to implement a new winter usage fee at Green and Smithfield Canyons, Sinks, Murray
Farm, and Tony Grove trailheads. Users can choose to purchase a $60 annual pass that allows
unlimited access to all winter trailheads or a $10 multiday or $20 weekly pass. Alternatively,
America the Beautiful pass can be purchased for $80, which also gives access to National Parks
and other Forest Service fee usage areas around the country.

The new fees will be used to support winter usage in Cache Valley, and have the potential to benefit the Nordic United community in several ways; such as, developing new winter usage trailheads and summer trail maintenance to support a better winter usage experience. These fees may also fund some of Nordic United’s current grooming activities, though we don’t know how much money will be available annually.

​The new fees also pose some potential drawbacks; such as, higher usage at non-fee trailheads, reduced community involvement, and restricted access for students and low-income families. The following Herald Journal articles nicely outline the benefits and drawbacks of the new fees.
Herald Journal Article #1

Herald Journal Article #2
The purpose of this correspondence is to encourage each of you to consider how these new fees
might affect your winter usage experience and submit a comment! The comment period ends
September 7th. You can submit a general comment to SM.FS.UWCFeeProp@usda.gov or
trailhead specific comment at this website:

https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=85f1787bb35d4ccab7ae83cf5bc
83fd8.

The new fees will reshape the look of winter use in Cache Valley, please get involved and
make your voice heard!

Thank You,

Nordic United Board