COLORADO RECREATION RESOURCE ADVISORY FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT NEW FEE OR FEE CHANGE PROPOSAL FORM
1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Name of Proposed Fee Site: Lone Cone Cabin Date 3/16/12
Project Contact Person & Phone: Kathy Peckham, Recreation Staff 970-327-4261
Forest: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison County: San Miguel District: Norwood Congressional District: 3 Site Type: Cabin Capacity: 6 people Number of Cabins: 1
Seasons of Use:
Yearlong except from mid-April – mid-May: 335 days Proposed Action: New Fee X Proposed Fee: $120 per night
Summary of benefits the public will receive: Cabin is located in the heart of quality big game hunting terrain. Onsite horse corrals Walking distance to Lone Cone Trail (trailhead is 300 yards from Cabin), an 11-mile trail that links to Woods Lake recreation area and traverses through a portion of the Lizard Head Wilderness. Trail is popular among hunters on horse or foot. Close proximity (15 miles by vehicle) to Woods Lake recreation area that offers fishing, camping, hiking, equestrian, motorcycle trail riding, mountain biking, and access into the Lizard Head Wilderness. Close proximity to Miramonte Reservoir State Wildlife Area (15 miles) that offers fishing, boating, and camping. Cabin is located adjacent to a network of 40 miles of free groomed snowmobile trails.
Facilities/Amenities Checklist (check all that apply, list each site separately): 1. __X__Designated developed parking 2. __X_Permanent toilet facility: __X__Flush (summer/fall) __X__Vault (winter) 3. __ __Permanent trash receptacle 4. ____Interpretive sign, exhibit or kiosk 5. __X__Picnic table 6. ____Security services
Other Facilities/Amenities Provided: Water - summer Benches Shower (1) – summer Gravel access road Electricity Full kitchen (electric range/oven, refrigerator, sink) Twin bed frames & mattresses (6 beds) Woodstove Firewood Dinner table and chairs Pots, pans, cooking utensils, dinnerware, cutlery Outdoor vault toilet (winter use) Horse facilities
Setting & General Description
The Lone Cone Cabin sits within a mature aspen stand at an elevation of 9,200 feet and offers spectacular views of Lone Cone Peak. This one-story facility (with basement) was constructed in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression and has subsequently been used as a guard station/work center, housing Forest Service personnel. The facility is located 25 miles southeast of Norwood, Colorado in T42N, R12W, Sec 23 and is accessed by Forest System Road 611.
The Lone Cone Cabin will provide a rustic lodging experience in a private yet spectacular setting that offers excellent access to hiking, fishing, ATV riding, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, and snowmobiling. The size of the facility will accommodate groups of 6 people. As described above, this is a full-service rental in the summer, complete with potable running water, a flush toilet, a shower, electricity, woodstove, and full kitchen. In the fall, the Forest Service will provide potable water in 5- gallon containers. In the winter, cabin customers will melt snow to provide water for drinking, cooking, and washing.
This cabin can be accessed by passenger vehicle from about May 15 through November 15 via native- surfaced forest road access. After that, access will be via snowmobiles on a groomed snowmobile trail (about 8 miles from the FSR 611 snowmobile parking lot to the Cabin). There is parking for approximately 5 vehicles on the driveway access road and parking for an additional 10 vehicles on the grass immediately adjacent to the driveway.
The Lone Cone Trail, an 11-mile wilderness trail, can be accessed just 300 yards from the cabin and travels through a portion of the Lizard Head Wilderness. This trail is popular among hunter on horses or on foot.
Woods Lake Recreation Area is a 15-mile drive via Forest Service Road 618. The area encompasses the Woods Lake State Wildlife Area (CDOW), Woods Lake Campground (FS), and offers a trailhead for 3 popular trails: 1) Wilson Mesa Trail (motorcycle/mountain bike trail), 2) Woods Lake Trail (wilderness trail), and Lone Cone Trail (wilderness trail). The cabin is 25 miles from Miramonte Reservoir State Wildlife Area that offers fishing, boating, and camping.
The facility is located within terrain that is very popular for big game hunting each fall. Onsite horse corrals will be a welcome amenity for many hunters who rely on horses for hunting and packing meat.
Opportunities in the winter: The cabin is located adjacent to a network of 40 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, maintained under a Forest Service permit with the West End Sledders club.
NHPR Eligibility: Not currently eligible due to improvements made to the original garage. Archeologist’s signature: /s/ Leigh Ann Hunt, Forest Archeologist Comments:
2. CURRENT AND PROJECTED REVENUES and ANNUAL OPERATION & MAINTENANCE COSTS
See Attachment A: Revenue/Expenditures projection worksheet.
Currently, there are no significant revenues associated with this facility. It typically serves as an administrative site and housing for seasonal employees during the summer months.
3. COST OF BACKLOG NEEDS
In 2010 and 2011, the Forest Service conducted about $20,000 of backlog maintenance on the Lone Cone Cabin including staining the exterior, replacing appliances, cleaning and painting basement, replacing woodstove, repairing masonry on porch, replacing a window, and replacing mattresses. Consequently, no additional backlog work is needed in order to rent the cabin to the public.
4. FEE DETERMINATION PROCESS – Fair Market Value Analysis
Facility type(s) compared: Cabins with a capacity for 6-8 people per night in southwest Colorado that offer similar amenities and access to a wide disveristy of outdoor recreation activities on public lands.
Number of facilities compared: 3 cabins were compared: Black Bear, Silesca, and Ponderosa Cabins on the GMUG National Forest.
Proximity to project area: Within 125 miles of the Lone Cone Cabin
Price Comparison Analysis and Proposed Fees:
A search of the NRRS website found three cabin rentals on the GMUG National Forest with comparable capacities and amenities. All of these cabins currently rent for $120 per night.
Average Rate Per Night For Silesca, Black Bear & Ponderosa Cabins Average Rate/Night (Based on 12-person occ.) Proposed Rate For Lone Cone Cabin $120.00 $120
See Attachments C and Attachment D for additional information.
5. PLANNED USE OF FEES RETURNED TO SITE (list top priorities other than daily O&M)
Capital Improvements/Deferred Maintenance FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 Purchase cookware, dinnerware, dish towels, etc. $100 Stain exterior $550 Purchase sofa hide-a-bed $700 Paint interior $500 Improve horse facilities $500 Install new window(s) $1,900 Total $0 $100 $1,250 $1,000 $1,900
6. CUSTOMER/PUBLIC FEEDBACK MECHANISM
Signing at the Lone Cone Cabin providing an opportunity to comment Front desk display at the Norwood Ranger District Newspaper Articles in local newspapers Listing on Forest Website Presentation at County Commissioner meetings, snowmobile club, trail, OHV club meetings Send news release to local media and interested parties GMUG Public Affairs Officer to brief Congressional representatives
8. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION RESULTS
See Attachment B: Summary of Public Involvement for details.
9. ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Revenue/Expenditures projection worksheet Attachment B: Summary of Public Involvement Attachment C: Cabin Price Form Attachment D: Cabin Rental Comparison
10. PROJECT SUBMITTAL & CERTIFICATION
Project Submittal: This recreation site is being submitted for inclusion as a fee site under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA). This proposal has been reviewed by representatives on the unit. I understand that any reservations must be made through the NRRS system. I also fully understand and agree to comply with the accounting and reporting requirements necessary to participate in the fee program.
______SHERRY HAZELHURST Acting Forest Supervisor Date
Project Certification: This recreation site is now forwarded as a fee site and the proposed fee schedule is forwarded to the RRAC for their review under REA.
______JANE LECHE Recreation Fee Board Chair Date
RRAC Project Recommendation: This site and proposed fee schedule is____ / is not____ recommended as a fee site. This recreation site is already a fee site and the proposed fee schedule is____ / is not____ recommended to the Secretary for acceptance under REA.
______Colorado Recreation RAC Chair Date
Project Acceptance: This site and proposed fee schedule is____ / is not____ accepted as, a fee site. This recreation site is already a fee site and the proposed fee schedule is____ / is not____ accepted by the Secretary under REA.
______MARIBETH GUSTAFSON Deputy Regional Forester Date