Chattooga River Ranger District Recreation Prospectus
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Prospectus for Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area Visitor’s Center/Gift Shop Granger-Thye Concessions, Chattooga River Ranger District Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest 1 Prospectus for Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area Visitor’s Center/Gift Shop Granger-Thye Concessions, Chattooga River Ranger District Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Table of Contents I. Business Opportunity A. Introduction B. Area Description C. Description of Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area D. Government-Furnished Property E. Government-Furnished Supplies F. Utilities and Waste Management II. Forest Service Concession Program and Policies A. Pass Discounts B. Camp Stamps C. Site Closures D. Reserved Administrative Use E. Applicable Forest Orders F. Fee Tickets and Compilation of Use and Revenue Data G. Customer Service Comment Cards H. Performance Evaluations I. Accessibility J. Fees Charged to the Public K. Law Enforcement L. Other Pertinent Information III. Special Use Permit A. Permit Term B. Permit Holder Responsibilities C. Granger-Thye Fee Offset Agreement D. Insurance E. Bonding IV. Application A. Instructions for Submitting Applications B. General Terms, Qualifications, and Reservations C. Application Package Requirements D. Evaluation of Applications 2 Prospectus for Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area Visitor’s Center/Gift Shop Granger-Thye Concessions, Chattooga River Ranger District Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest V. Post-Selection Requirements Appendices Appendix 1: Vicinity and Area Maps Appendix 2: Maps of Developed Recreation Sites Appendix 3: Inventory of Government-Furnished Property Appendix 4: Applicable Forest Orders Appendix 5: Sample Use Report Appendix 6: Sample Customer Service Comment Card Appendix 7: Standard Performance Evaluation Form Appendix 8: FSM 2342.1, Exhibit 01, Law Enforcement at Concession Campgrounds Appendix 9: Sample Annual Operating Plan Appendix 10: FS-2700-4h, Special-Use Permit for Campground and Related Granger-Thye Concessions, and FS-2700-4h, Appendix-F, Operation of Federally Owned Drinking Water Systems Appendix 11: FS-2700-4h, Appendix B, Granger-Thye Fee Offset Agreement Appendix 12: Potential Government Maintenance, Reconditioning, Renovation, and Improvement Projects Appendix 13: Indirect Cost Reimbursement Letter Appendix 14: FS-2700-4h, Appendix G, Granger-Thye Fee Offset Certification Appendix 15: Sample Collection Agreement for Granger-Thye Fee Offset Work Appendix 16: Sample Business Plan Appendix 17: FS-6500-24, Financial Statement Appendix 18: FS-6500-25, Request for Verification Appendix 19: Anna Ruby Falls – Monitoring Plan Appendix 20: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Master Interpretive Plan VI. Pertinent Materials (Available Upon Request) “Cleaning Recreation Sites” (USDA-Forest Service) “In Depth Design and Maintenance Manual for Vault Toilets” (USDA-Forest Service) 3 Prospectus for Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area Visitor’s Center/Gift Shop Granger-Thye Concessions, Chattooga River Ranger District Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest I. Business Opportunity A) Introduction This prospectus is being issued to solicit applications for a concession special use permit to operate a visitor’s center/gift shop special use permit. A permit or permits will be issued to provide high-quality public service in the operation and maintenance of Government-owned recreation facilities located at the Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area on the Chattooga River Ranger District, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The permit or permits will include the following: The authorized officer for this business opportunity is the Forest Supervisor for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, 1755 Cleveland Highway, Gainesville, GA 30501. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is searching for individuals that will take full advantage of the possibilities this area has to offer while maximizing visitation and revenue by providing exceptional visitor opportunities and services. The Forest Supervisor, Recreation Staff, and District Ranger are committed to supporting the permittee to ensure the operation is a sound venture for the concessionaire, the Forest Service, and National Forest visitors. The Chattooga River Ranger District recreation areas and the surrounding attractions draw high visitation from Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. The points of origin for most visitors to private sector recreation sites in this area are Georgia (32.56%), Florida (20.93%), Alabama (6.98%), South Carolina (5.81%), Tennessee (4.65%), and North Carolina (3.49%) – (Numbers based on “Top of Georgia” study). A large percentage of Georgia visitors come from metropolitan Atlanta which is within a two-hour drive. Another segment of visitors that complete the demographics of Anna Ruby Falls visitors are those from foreign countries. Visitors to the area are in most cases overwhelmed with the beauty of this section of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Lush hardwood forests cover this north Georgia area and meet crystal clear rivers in the winding valleys below. There are pristine coldwater lakes for boating and recreation. There is history to be discovered and culture to be appreciated. 4 Prospectus for Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area Visitor’s Center/Gift Shop Granger-Thye Concessions, Chattooga River Ranger District Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest At a minimum, the Permit Holder will be required to perform the following services for the options included within the final concession package: 1. Operate a profitable retail store (stocked with interpretive/cultural merchandise to be reviewed and pre-approved by Forest Service) 2. Provide visitor information Gift Store/Visitor Center 3. Collect Parking Fees by the person or by the vehicle (Option if fee booth selected – All fees must be pre-approved by the FS) 4. Record visitor use (Option if fee booth slected) 5. Recruit, train, and supervise all employees 6. Keep accurate and updated accounting records 7. Conduct safety inspections and take corrective action, if necessary 8. Collect and dispose of trash (visitor’s center; refreshment area, bathrooms, and trails) 9. Collect and dispose of trash in picnic areas (Option if fee booth is selected) 10. Clean recreation areas and restrooms (Visitor’s Center, Refreshment Area, and Bathrooms) 11. Pickup litter 12. Mow grounds 13. Maintain facilities and recreation areas 14. Provide area security 15. Procure supplies 16. Provide positive customer service and share information about the local area 17. Protect natural resources 18. Analyze and implement interpretive opportunities (Foxfire Hikes, History of North Georgia, etc). Provide minimum interpretive programs (2-3 weekly/peak and 1 per month non-peak) Note: All Interpretive Programs and fees must be pre-approved by Forest Service. 19. Open and Close Recreation Area: Hours of Operation: Sun - Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. or dusk (Note: Hours of Operation must be pre-approved by Forest Service) Water Cycle Interpretive Area 5 Prospectus for Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area Visitor’s Center/Gift Shop Granger-Thye Concessions, Chattooga River Ranger District Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest B) Area Description The Chattahoochee and the Oconee are the two National Forests in Georgia. The Chattahoochee contains about 750,000 acres in north Georgia and the Oconee contains more than 115,000 acres in the rolling Piedmont of middle Georgia. These two forests offer 800+ developed campsites, 250+ picnic sites, 10 wilderness areas, the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, 4 swimming beaches, thousands of acres of lakes and streams, and over 800 miles of trails including the Appalachian Trail. The Chattooga River Ranger District is located within the Chattahoochee National Forest near several gateway communities, including the thriving towns of Clayton, Toccoa, Clarkesville, Cleveland and Helen, Georgia. Breathtaking views, mountain culture, blue skies, and clear streams are the qualities that draw people to the north Georgia mountains. The beauty and natural resources of this rugged region has attracted a wide range of users from 19th century gold prospectors to early settlers, hunters & fishermen, and today people from the city seeking to re- energize and reconnect with nature. Waterfalls, rivers, and lakes are crowd pleasers in this mountainous region. Visitors flock to the base of Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, or Ravens Cliff Falls to feel the cool spray and enjoy nature’s splendor. They utilize the area lakes, rivers, and streams of the region to enjoy water activities. Visitors’ fish and often boat at Lakes Russell and Rabun. Other recreational activities in the area include – hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, and camping. The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a National Recreation Trail that extends over 2,000 miles, from Georgia to Maine. It passes through the Chattooga River Ranger District at numerous points and makes for a hikers dream. One can also take in the scenes of nature by car on the Richard Russell National Scenic Byway. This 41-mile corridor offers visitors outstanding scenery of natural & cultural landscapes along the well-maintained road. Brasstown Bald Visitor Center sits atop the highest mountain in Georgia at 4784 ft. and is considered the Crown Jewel of the Byway. Views from the Visitor Center offer a 360-degree panoramic lookout against forested landscape that is strikingly distinct and undoubtedly memorable. White County Located in the northeast Georgia mountains, White County is comprised of 241.6 square miles just 75 miles from Atlanta, Georgia.