Cleveland National Forest proposes $11M upgrade

By: DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer | Saturday, September 22, 2007 3:13 AM PDT ∞

As officials with the Cleveland National Forest prepare to embark on the largest campground-repair campaign in four decades, they are asking for the public's help in determining where millions of dollars should be spent.

"Most of our recreation facilities were built in the '60s," Anne Carey, forest recreation planner, said in a telephone interview this week. "And many of them are old and out of date."

Now the overseers of the forest are anticipating an infusion of $11 million over the next five years to fix and upgrade recreation sites.

Carey said local U.S. Forest Service officials have their own ideas about where the money should go, but they want to hear from the public.

"We think we have our finger on the pulse, but maybe we don't," Carey said. "So tell us whether we need to move our fingers a little bit in one direction or the other to find the pulse."

The forest service is seeking comment through Oct. 3 on the proposed upgrades, posted on its Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland/projects/rsfmp/index.

Carey said national forests across the country are preparing such programs and expect to complete them by the end of the year, and are gathering comments to guide them.

In a statement, acting Forest Supervisor Tom Gillett said, "We are committed to responsibly serving the public by efficiently operating and, when necessary, modifying the services we offer to ensure recreation sites provide the right opportunities in the right places."

Every year, about 900,000 people visit the Cleveland National Forest, which covers 460,000 acres in San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties.

All project ideas are listed on the forest's Web site.

People may detail their preferences in comments mailed to: Recreation Facility Analysis, Cleveland National Forest, 10845 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92127-2107. People also may send comments by e-mail to: cnf_rec_info@fs.fed.us.

Questions can be addressed to Carey by calling (619) 445-6235, Ext. 3415.

Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 745-6611, Ext. 2623, or ddowney@nctimes.com.

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