USFS concessionaires- profitable business

Are US Forest Service concessionaires getting rich at the public expense? It is big business, with total campground concessionaire revenue nationally estimated at $35 million. According to an article in the Denver Post, a concessionaire running a campground with one to three sites can bring in $50,000 to $105,000. A larger campground with 10 to 12 sites can generate $1 million in annual revenue.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, passed in 2004, allows "federal land managers (or third parties) to charge an 'amenity fee' for access to developed sites but prohibited charging entrance fees for only parking or for people who aren't using improved facilities." If you are passing through to hike, you should not be charged.

A lawsuit has been filed by several individuals contending that concessionaires are charging for access to our public lands. This is true in at least one place I am familiar with- hiking in at the West Fork of Oak Creek in the Coconino Forest in Sedona, AZ (pictured). If you hike in or park there, you must pay a separate fee. I've spoken to several people who do not hike there because of the fees.

Also at issue is the fact that concessionaires do not have to honor the Golden Age and Senior passes. This certainly makes hiking and camping less affordable for RVers.

Budgets are being cut so the Forest Service has turned to charging fees for developed areas. In many cases, these have been turned over to a concessionaire who pays for the privilege of charging. The USFS is between a rock and a hard place but still, there are public lands.

What do you think? Add your thoughts below. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Comments

[Ralph Guay]

Some CGs we've visited are well-run by concessionaires and accept the "Geezer Pass". Some are not and don't. The are all more expensive than Forest Service run places. Seems like a good way to make money for those equipped to manage the CGs. Something is not right and it should be looked into. Thanks for bringing up this important topic!

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

The article made the point that USFS gets to keep all the money they raise from user fees. However, I'm not sure if their budget would support the personnel to run and maintain it. However, fees are definitely more when a concessionaire is involved.

And, I'm sure the concessionaire has costs to come out of the money collected, but they don't pay their people that well so I think they are pocketing a good amount.

There are many developers who would love to get their hands on our beautiful parks, both state and federal. I sometimes wonder if these are steps to get our public lands entirely into private ones.

Thanks for your comment!

Jaimie

[Bonnie Long]

This may be off the subject- but I noticed at a store near the Tower Falls campground in Yellowstone- how many cigarette butts were in the parking lot- this brings to mind how much trash and illegal camping is in the park and makes me wonder if the Park Rangers are just managing all the people breaking the rules and don't have the time or resources to maintain campgrounds. People try to get away with so many things - speeding, etc, no wonder they need someone to take over the campgrounds and charge a minimal fee 12.00 for basic services.

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Bonnie- it sounds like you think a concessionaire would do a better job keeping up with things. That could be true. The gov't agencies can be stretched pretty thin. They know how many people it takes to keep the place shipshape but may not get that money in their budget. The national parks have been underfunded for years- particularly in keeping up the maintenance on structures and roads.

Thanks for your comment.

Jaimie

[Ralph Guay]

As I see it, if a concessionaire had three sites at $15/night and was open year around, he would take in about $16,000. Where does the other money come from? Are they actually paid to run the CG? This is getting more and more confusing. If, in fact, the Concessionaires get funds directly from the government, how does that save the government any money? We need more information. (My second two cents worth}

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

I'm not exactly sure how it works, but in general concessionaires bid for the job. A percentage of revenues goes to the agency and they then supply the cleaning material, TP, etc. In some cases to win a contract - say a big one in the national park- they may agree to do capital improvements. I doubt that is the case for a forest service concessionaire.

This is one of the concessionaire's FAQ on operating a forest service campground and answers some of your questions.

I'm not sure the article got it right as to size of operations and revenues. I would think that several small campgrounds would give the lower amount and maybe a very popular campground or several would be worth the $1 million.

Anyone can bid for the job, but as the FAQs say, the Forest chooses based on both money it makes plus the stability of the company.

Good questions!

Jaimie

Jaimie