Small Town News

New campground permittees selected

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The Willamette National Forest has selected American Land and Leisure as the permittee to operate and maintain 47 campgrounds across the Detroit, McKenzie River and Middle Fork Ranger Districts beginning in January of 2011. In addition, Linn County Parks and Recreation was selected to operate and maintain six campgrounds on the Sweet Home Ranger District, also beginning next year.

Two solicitations for proposals to provide visitor services at various recreation sites were issued in May of this year. The Willamette Complex covers the Detroit, McKenzie River and Middle Fork Ranger Districts, and the South Santiam Complex covers the Sweet Home Ranger District. It is Forest Service policy that special use permits such as these be awarded on a competitive basis. The solicitation for proposals generated three proposals from well-qualified businesses in the western United States.

Currently, the Willamette National Forest has four campground concession permits covering multiple campgrounds on each of the four ranger districts. The decision was made to consolidate these into two permits to provide the public with greater consistency across the Forest, according to Judith McHugh, Public Affairs Officer for the Willamette NF.

The four current permits will expire on December 31st. The new permit is scheduled to become effective January Is'. However, the selection decision is subject to administrative appeal.

The final decision will not be implemented until the minimum appeal period of forty-five days has expired, or pending resolution of any appeals submitted during the appeal period.

American Land and Leisure currently operates campgrounds in many national forests, including the Siuslaw and Colville in the Pacific Northwest Region. In business as a campground manager since 1986, American Land and Leisure has 24 years of experience, and manages over 400 campgrounds nationwide.

In addition to eight regional recreation facilities in the county, Linn County Parks and Recreation also operates and maintains Clear Lake Resort, under special use permit with the Willamette National Forest.

"American Land and Leisure has pulled together an excellent proposal to operate campgrounds on the Detroit, McKenzie River and Middle Fork Ranger Districts on the Willamette National Forest, and we look forward to working with them to provide consistent and high quality services to the public, "said Forest Supervisor Meg Mitchell. "I am looking forward to expanding our partnership with Linn County Parks as the operator of our campgrounds in the South Santiam Corridor. I also want to thank our current permittees for the services they have provided across the Forest for many years."



Copyright 2010 McKenzie River Reflections, McKenzie Bridge, Oregon. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 McKenzie River Reflections McKenzie Bridge, Oregon. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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