(This letter was written at the beginning of the "Demonstration Program" for the Red Rock Pass. Only the telephone area code as been changed from the original.)

Conservation and Service in Action
"Passing on Your Natural Legacy"

By Ken Anderson, District Ranger
Beaver Creek/Sedona Ranger Districts, Coconino National Forest

The journey started a number of years ago. The community and FS (Forest Service) seriously at odds over the care being given the inspiringly beautiful landscape around Sedona, Arizona. "Being loved to death" was a common assessment. Each year bringing added impact to priceless National Forest resources and values. Forest Service staffing and financial resources not keeping pace with growing demands for visitor services or needed protection.

What to do? A stronger, more proactive conservation, restoration and visitor service strategy was needed. With expressed support from the community, the FS initiated a collaborative planning process. Four years and many community dialogues later, Amendment 12 to the Forest Plan was born. The Amendment set bold goals, objectives, standards and guidelines designed to increase quality visitor opportunities and services, avoid more loss of priceless values, and restore lost values.

In some things, we are making good progress. In other things, we aren't. Although volunteer efforts in greater Sedona are unexcelled, and although the community is very strong in partnerships, challenge cost shares, etc., the resources to provide essential visitor services and simultaneously care for the land for the enjoyment of present and future generations are significantly limiting.

Enter, the Red Rock Pass Program: a program designed under the National Fee Demonstration legislation (P.L. 104-134, 1996) to "fill the gap". It is a user fee program focused on sustaining ecosystem health while providing and protecting high quality national forest experiences. It is not about profit, or increasing visitation. It is about high quality, proactive, responsible (essential) management in the face of very high visitation (3-4 million people annually) and very high risks of visitor-caused adverse impacts on the public's land and resources. The Pass program is driven and controlled by the Coconino Forest Plan--Amendment 12's vision, goals, objectives, standards, and guidelines.

So, what are the features and requirements of the Red Rock Pass program? First, the features:

• 95% of the revenue collected stays in the red rock landscape to provide services and land stewardship.
• A FS welcome/information center is opened along Highway 179 on the south side of the Village of Oak Creek,
• FS information receptionists serve at each of the gateway centers: the Sedona Cultural Park at the west gate, Chamber of Commerce visitor center in uptown Sedona, and the Vista at the head of Oak Creek at the far north gate.
• New informative brochures, accurate and user-friendly maps, and a field journal are offered to enhance the visitors' planning, fun and experience.
• Convenient visitor assistance and improved safety and security is provided with an increased number of FS "field rangers".
• Wildlife habitat, watershed, and heritage resource restoration and enhancement is initiated.
• A Red Rock Pass is given with each Volunteer Agreement.
• No Pass is required for driving through the National Forest.
• No Pass is required if walking or riding a bicycle from private property onto NF.

Second, the basic requirement:

Display a Pass [daily ($5), weekly ($15), or annual ($20 & $40)] when parking a vehicle on the NF for non-commercial purposes such as hiking, picnicking, visiting archeological sites, vortex exploring/visitation, emotional/spiritual restoration activities, etc.

• Are user fees justified?
  • Fifteen percent of the on-site NF visitors say no. They want NF management costs paid by taxes via congressional appropriations. Unfortunately, recent federal budget trends make meaningful increases improbable.
• Are fees the only alternative?
  • No, donations, sponsorships, partnerships, and volunteers all contribute; volunteers and partnerships are currently major contributors.
• Can they meet the need?
  • We don't think so. Again, as good as they are, we do not see them being substantial enough to meet the needs. Besides, 85% of the on-site visitors support a blend of user fees and congressional funding when "value added" service and stewardship is provided.

Critics would have us delay implementation until we more rigorously pursue a congressional remedy. They say waiting a little longer makes little difference. Our answer has been that citizens should, by all means, explore their concerns with members of Congress. However, we explain our understanding that Congress has, at least partially, addressed the shortfall in appropriations. It was Congress that passed Fee Demonstration legislation, giving the Forest Service another tool for management. In our case, in the Sedona area, it offers a prime opportunity to aggressively pursue the Forest Plan's goals and objectives that have strong support from the visitor and the local resident. Were the NF lands around Sedona not being adversely affected by heavy visitation, it would perhaps be prudent to wait. Unfortunately, these priceless resources are being impacted for future generations and the combination of appropriations, volunteers, grants, partnerships, donations, etc. are simply, currently, too limiting to correct.

As you can probably tell, I could go on extensively. I am convinced we are on the right track. Wearing my National Forest Manager hat, I am thrilled to be able to create resources for visitor service and for sustaining, actually enhancing, the ecosystem. Additionally, I have quality visitor surveys in the Sedona area strongly confirming and supporting the needs and the solution. Thank you for your interest in our national forest. I personally enjoy the privilege of helping to "pass on our natural legacy". I would be happy to provide more information or discuss your concerns. You may reach me at 928-282-4119 or write at U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 300, Sedona, AZ 86336.