Forest Service waives fees for Juneteenth
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 6 months AGO
The U.S. Forest Service is waiving fees to utilize USFS-managed recreational facilities on Juneteenth.
COURTESY PHOTO/CLIFFORD MERVIL VIA PEXELS
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | June 17, 2023 1:55 PM
PORTLAND, Ore. — The USDA Forest Service is waiving recreation fees for day-use sites in Washington and Oregon on Monday, June 19, in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday, according to an announcement from the Forest Service.
Fees will be waived for several picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads and visitor centers, the announcement said. Regular fees for camping, cabin rentals, heritage expeditions, and other permits will still apply, and concession operations will continue to charge fees at the discretion of the permit holders. Most national forests and grasslands have no fees at any time and approximately two-thirds of developed recreation sites in national forests and grasslands are available for use at no cost, the announcement added.
This initiative recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth which marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, the announcement said.
"It is our commitment to provide equitable access to these incredible outdoor spaces and we hope to create more opportunities for people to connect with nature and build lasting memories," Tracy Calizon, assistant director of recreation and related resources for the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service, wrote in the announcement. "We are especially eager to welcome communities who have been historically underserved and those who have not felt welcome to visit national forests in the past.”
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
‘Our favorite time of year’
Shop with a Cop brings smiles to both children and officers
MOSES LAKE — The heavy police presence outside local stores recently wasn’t because of a crime wave. It was police officers engaging in their favorite annual event. “This is one of those times throughout the year that we don't have to go and ask for volunteers to help,” said Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “The first day we put it out, I think we got 20-some people say ‘Yeah, we’re in.’ That's just under half the department right away.“
BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and a lot of people will be spending time at home with their families or at the church of their choice. Still, there are a few things happening around the Basin. Here are some ideas:
Chimney maintenance is essential for safety
MOSES LAKE — With Christmas just around the corner, lots of folks are using their fireplaces for warmth, roasting chestnuts or just a pleasant atmosphere. But before Santa pays your chimney a visit, you should make sure it’s in good working order. Chimney fires are responsible for more than three-fourths of residential building heating fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Regular inspections and cleaning are the best way to prevent that, said Michael Harper, known as The Chimney Guy. “If they’re using (the fireplace) aesthetically – date night, Christmas, New Year’s, show-off times, something in the background here and there, (they should) have it inspected once a year for peace of mind,” Harper said. “If they’re using it two to three days a week religiously through the winter months, they need to have it cleaned once a year.”