National Forest Recreation Association

Interior Department Announces New Policy on Firearms

Department of the Interior has finalized updated regulations governing the possession of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. The final rule, which updates existing regulations, would allow an individual to carry a concealed weapon in national parks and wildlife refuges if, and only if, the individual is authorized to carry a concealed weapon under state law in the state in which the national park or refuge is located. The update has been submitted to the Federal Register for publication and is available to the public on www.doi.gov.  For more details on the announcement, read on... 

In New Era, Timber's Struggles Stir Broad Concern

and Support

A scramble is under way in Montana to save the historically important, culturally resonant timber industry.  For the full story, click here...

Powder Launch

A new Heli-skiing business is now offering skiers access to Alaska's Tongass National Forest.   After three years, they now have Forest Service approval to begin taking skiers. 

Read on... 

National Forest visitors down, no one knows why

Recent articles indicate recreation use is down on the national forests...  Read the Fox News article...

Bitterroot Resort Gets Initial OK

The Proposed Bitterroot Resort passed an early hurdle from the Bitterroot National Forest.  The Resort seeks to develop a four-season resort.  Read more for the full article.

  November, 2008

New Supervisor Named for the Gifford Pinchot

National Forest

Janine Clayton, assistant director for minerals and geology in the U.S. Forest Service Washington, D.C., office, has been named as the new supervisor of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington.  Click here for more details...

A panel of seasoned natural resource and conservation leaders with experience in and out of top government posts told recreation community leaders what they expect to see as the new Obama Adminstration takes shape.  Click here for the full report... 

New Update: Recreation Research 

Learn about the impacts of fire events on recreation and tourism.. and - continued studies on racial and ethnic diversity impacts on recreation activities and management...  More...

Forest Service Issues Final Outfitter-Guide Regulations

The Forest Service has issued revised directives pertaining to outfitting and guiding on all national forests.  For a full copy of the Federal Register - click here..

Federal Lands Update

Read the recent newsletter for information on legal cases and updates for federal concessioners, permittees, and land users.  This newsletter is published by The Garden Law Firm (NFRA Member) and provides updates on court actions of interest to recreation and other permittees.  August 2008

New Regional Forester for the Pacific Northwest Region

Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell announces the appointment of Mary Wagner to lead the Pacific Northwest Region (R-6).  Mary will oversee 17 national forests and 1 national grassland within Oregon and Washington.  Read on for details.. 

New Director of Recreation for the Pacific Northwest Region

The Forest Service has named Claire Lavendel as the new Director of Recreation, Lands and Minerals in the Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6).  Click Here for Details.. 

Significant Decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently conducted a review of their own decisions pertaining to Forest Service activities.  They concluded they had made errors in some cases, or had 'shifted away from the appropriate standard of review.' 

For a summary go to: 9th Circuit Key Statements.  To read their complete decision, go to: Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Recreation Reserarch Update

The Forest Service has a research team working on recreation issues.  Read on for the latest news update...  Research  

Federal Lands Update

Read the latest news and information for federal concessioners, permittees, and land users.  This newsletter is published by The Garden Law Firm (NFRA Member) and provides updates on court actions of interest to recreation and other permittees.  News..

Proposed Project List for Lake Tahoe

The Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee has prepared a Preliminary Recommendation Package for a number of capital projects and funding priorities for restoration projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin.  There is a total of $24,192,000 in capital projects and $3,750,000 in science themes proposed in the report.  The Public is invited to comment by the close of business on May 9, 2008.  For more information, check out:

Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations

The Federal Times reports in its January 30th issue that a new survey of American attitudes toward government shows that the Postal Service is the “most popular agency” in the government, but that the National Park Service is right behind it and only a few percentage points back. Next behind the NPS is the Forest Service. http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3333067.

Sylvan Pass Study Group Sets Rules for Meeting

Draft ground rules for a group hoping to find avalanche and winter access solutions on Sylvan Pass will be reviewed and approved before a Jan. 28-30 meeting in Billings.

The Sylvan Pass Study Group was authorized by wording in the

Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks' winter use Record of Decision that was signed Nov. 20.  Read on...

The Growing Challenge of Managing Outdoor Recreation
Sally Collins and Hutch Brown
Read More..

Sally Collins is the Associate Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Hutch Brown is a policy analyst for the U.S. Forest Service

October 24, 2007    

Federal Advisory Committee for Lake Tahoe ~~

NFRA Member Helps Select Restoration Projects

Learn More..

Forest Service proposed changes to its Outfitting and Guiding Policy as well as Insurance Policy for recreation permittees. 

Federal Register Notice...

Proposed Manual and Handbook Changes...