<h1> The Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Council (RRAC) unanimously approved seven fee increases for the Lake Sherwood Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest during their April meeting.</h1> The new fees will be in effect as of Memorial Day weekend and are as follows: <ul> <li>Single Site: $20 per night</li> <li>Double Site: $40 per night</li> <li>Group Site: $100 per night</li> <li>Tent Only Sites: $16 per night</li> <li>Day Use: $5</li> <li>Annual Day Use Permit: $30</li> <li>Picnic Shelter: $50 per day</li> </ul> “We recognize how important the recreational facilities at Lake Sherwood are to our local communities and visitors,” said Cindy Sandeno, Marlinton-White Sulphur District ranger. “These fee increases will help us maintain these sites to the level and quality people have come to expect.” Sandeno explained that in 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to keep 95 percent of fees collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate and maintain and improve these sites. “Rest assured that the money from these fee increases will be used at Lake Sherwood,” she said. All fee change proposals are advertised for a recreation season and then presented before a citizen’s advisory committee, in this case the Eastern Region RRAC. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interest groups and help ensure that the Forest Service addresses public issues and concerns about recreation fees. For more information about the new fees, contact Matt Edwards, South Zone Recreation Manager at 304-799-4334 extension 24 or mjedwards@fs.fed.us.
