Timber Camp Recreation Site and Timber Camp Equestrian Campground

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Salt River Canyon Wilderness Private Permit
System Proposed Fee Structure Change
USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region Tonto
National Forest Globe Ranger District
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Public Participation
Business Plan
Project Summary
Salt River Canyon Wilderness Private River Permit
System
Introduction The Salt River Canyon Wilderness
is a special area established by Congress in
1984.
Location The Salt River Canyon Wilderness
begins at Gleason Flat, which is 20 miles
downstream from the US Highway 60 bridge on the
Fort Apache/San Carlos Apache Indian
Reservations. From Gleason Flat the river flows
through the Wilderness for approximately 32 miles
to the take-out immediately downstream of the US
Highway 288 bridge.
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Project Summary
Salt River Canyon Wilderness
Private Permit System A Forest Service permit
is required from March 1-May 15 each year to raft
that portion of the river which flows through the
Salt River Canyon Wilderness. Who May Apply A
trip leader must be at least 18 years of age and
qualified to lead a non-commercial, multiple day
trip down a technical Class III-IV whitewater
river. Only one application per person.
Reason for Proposed Fee Structure Change The
fee structure change would bring the
application and the permit fee up to
the national average fee structure.
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Business Plan
Financial Analysis Current Fees
Application fee 10
Permit fee 75 Average 1400
applicants and 240 permits paid for annually.
This revenue of 32,000 (10 x 1400 75 x 240
32,000) annually. Proposed Fee Change
Application fee 10 (No
Change) Permit fee
125 This 44,000 annual revenue (10 x 1400
125 x 240 37,000). Reservation Fee The
main put-in, and the first 30 miles on river
right, are located on White Mountain Apache
Tribal Lands. In addition to paying permit fees
to the Tonto National Forest, private river users
on the Salt River also pay 15 per person per day
to the Tribe. An average Wilderness River Trip
pays the tribe 270 (9 people x 2 days x 15).
Application fees are used for permit system
administration, mailings and costs associated
with random drawing.
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Business Plan
Financial Analysis (continued)
Expected Annual Occupancy 2,160 (average trip
9 people x 240 permits) Annual OM 73,760.
1 GS-7 14 pay periods
31,640 2 x GS-5 6 pay
periods 14,400
1 GS-4 for 4 pay periods
4,320 1
Admin. Assistant for 20 days 3,900
River Gear and Tools
7,500
Crew Cab Truck
4,000 Per-Diem
3,500
Training (Swiftwater W.
First Aid) 3,000
Lump Sum
1,500 Total

73,760 Current Revenue 32,000 Projected
Revenue 44,000 Difference 12,000
increase.
Fee Revenue will be supplemented with
appropriated funds to provide the balance of OM
Costs. These figures include the application
fee.
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Business Plan
Financial Analysis (continued)
National Comparative River Fees
Salt River The White Mountain Apache
Reservation charges a permit fee of 15/person
for 2 of the trip days that cross jointly over FS
and Reservation lands 270. Desolation
Canyon The Ute Tribe charges a camping fee of
25-50 per group per night. A four day trip of
nine people would cost 100. Grand Canyon
Applicants who win through the lottery are
immediately charged an additional, 400,
non-refundable trip deposit (applied towards the
final 100/per person cost of the permit)
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Public Participation

• On July 30, 2007 a mass e-mailing was sent to
  over 1200 people who have expressed an interest
  in management of the Upper Salt River and Salt
  River Canyon Wilderness areas. These
  participants have 30 days to respond with
  feedback on the fee increase.
• On July 31, 2007 press releases were also sent to
  the Arizona Silver Belt and the Mesa Tribune with
  the proposed fee structure change information.
• In addition the information was posted on the
  Tonto National Forest Internet website on July
  31, 2007.
• Responses to the e-mail, press releases and
  internet posting are due to the District by
  August 31. The District will compile a list of
  comments received for presentation to the Arizona
  RRAC committee in September, 2007.

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This Slide Reserved for Summary of Public
Comments.
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THE END