WASHINGTON, DC – Continuing to get folks to visit the great outdoors, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell is offering his agency's second fee waiver weekend this summer on Saturday, Aug. 14, and Sunday, Aug. 15.

“The Forest Service is working to ensure as many visitors as possible have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors and take advantage of the many recreational activities national forests have to offer,” said Tidwell. “By waiving fees, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonder and rejuvenation of recreation on national forests.”

These fee waivers are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) and aside from the August waiver, other dates throughout the year will be fee waived as well.

The remaining Fee Waiver dates for 2010 are as follows:

• Back-to-School Season – Aug.14-15; fees will be waived for Saturday and Sunday.

• National Public Lands Day – Sept. 25; this fee waiver is offered every year.

• Veterans Day – Nov. 11, 2010; this fee waiver is offered every year.

The fee waiver weekends support the goals of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Conference and First Lady Michelle Obama's “Let's Move” initiative by actively supporting and promoting programs, projects and initiatives that encourage the use of the outdoors by the public.

The waiver will allow people to explore our nation's forests, which offer a wide range of recreation and educational benefits such as: improved physical and mental health, emotional well being, a concern for nature, and a conservation ethic.

Traditionally, fees are not charged on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands and over two-thirds of developed recreation sites 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 about 17,000 recreation sites. Of those sites, approximately 6,000 require a fee at recreation sites which provide visitor services, needed maintenance/repairs, and recreational facilities and services.

 

The mission of the USDA 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.