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.