This Land, Your Land

The U.S. Forest Service has decided not to raise the camping fees private concessionaires charge holders of National Park Service passes for the elderly and handicapped. Those who hold Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes will instead continue to get 50 percent discounts, a news release says.

The Forest Service had proposed cutting the discount to 10 percent.

"The Forest Service conducted a 60-day public notice and comment period on the proposed changes," the news release says. "More than 4,000 comments were received."

Seniors age 62 and older pay a one-time $10 fee for the Senior Pass. Lifetime Access Passes for people with disabilities are free.

Concessioners are not required to accept passes at day use sites.

National Forest campgrounds in North Carolina operated by private companies include Standing Indian and Van Hook Glade in the Nantahala National Forest, and Black Mountain, Briar Bottom Group Camp, Carolina Hemlocks, Davidson River, Lake Powhatan and North Mills River in Pisgah National Forest.

Cape Lookout National Seashore has selected a contractor to perform the repairs necessary to make the lighthouse safe enough for the public to climb on a regular basis. Completion of the work is anticipated sometime this summer, a news release says.

The Seashore is also looking at what it needs to charge climbers to recoup part of the expense of staffing and custodial maintenance. Officials are proposing a fee like the one charged to climb the lighthouse at Cape Hatteras National Seashore - $8 for adults and $4 for ages 8 - 12 and 62 and older.

Plans are to have the tower open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from May until the end of September each year, though it will open later this year. Currently, it is only open four days a year.

A public meeting for comments about the proposed fee is scheduled for the Duke Marine Lab auditorium from 7 to 8 p.m. March 26.

Until April 14, comments may be sent to Cape Lookout National Seashore, Lighthouse Fee Comments, 131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, North Carolina 28531, or they may be e-mailed to Wouter_Ketel@nps.gov.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking new members of the Elk Bugle Corps, volunteers who give visitors information about responsible elk viewing practices and elk behavior, and help rangers with parking and traffic management.

Many of then 80 volunteers recruited last year are returning, but the park needs to replace some who are moving on to other opportunities this summer, a news release says. The goal is to recruit and train new volunteers who can commit to assisting on a recurring basis.

Each volunteer will be asked to work at least two scheduled, four-hour shifts per month starting the second week in May and continuing through November.

Two informational meetings and new volunteer orientation sessions will be held at the ranger station in Cataloochee Valley from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 15 and 17. All potential volunteers will be required to attend one of the orientation sessions as well as one full day of training during the last week of April and the first week of May.

If you're interested, e-mail Ranger Mark LaShell through the link at the news release or phone (828) 269-3161 (e-mail is preferred).