The Forest Service has almost $200,000 burning a hole in its proverbial pocket - and it wants your help in spending it.
The Wasatch-Cache National Forest started collecting a special-use fee last summer for all recreational activities in the Mirror Lake area. Over the past several months, those fees have accumulated to approximately $190,000.About $50,000 of that sum has already been budgeted for facility improvements and maintenance programs, but the public will help decide what to do with the remaining dollars.
"We made the obligation from the beginning to allow the public a continual (say) in how this money will be used," Forest Service spokesman Dick Kline said.
A trio of public meetings will be held Nov. 5, 17 and 20 to enlist public input.
Already, money has been spent on improvements along the Mirror Lake Trail. Fees were used to make portions of the popular trail accessible to people of all abilities, regardless of age or physical fitness.
Camping and road improvements have also been made, along with needed visitor services including Mirror Lake maps and trash collection.
A small portion of the money has been set aside for upcoming winter tasks like snow removal along the Mirror Lake Highway and regular restroom maintenance at popular trailheads.
The Forest Service is open to all suggestions on how the remaining money should be used but recommends some possible funding needs - including additional trail repair and maintenance, restoration of natural resources, developed camping improvement and environmental education.
The Nov. 5 meeting will be at the Evanston City Library in Evanston, Wyo., 701 Main St. The Nov. 17 meeting will be at the Kamas City Building, 170 N. Main St. The Nov. 20 meeting will be at the Division of Natural Resources, 1594 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City. All meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m.
People unable to attend any of the meetings can call 1-801-783-4338 or 1-307-789-3194 with suggestions.