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the amount of fees retained. This means that all 13 ski states it attractive to a broad array of interests. It helps ski areas by
with public land ski areas can benefit from this legislation. providing the certainty they need to make long-term busi-
Transfers of funds to other forests would take into account ness decisions on improving and enhancing operations for
the number of proposals for ski area improvements on those the future. It will also help facilitate implementation of year-
forests, any backlog in ski area permit administration or round recreation activities for guests, thereby creating year-
processing of ski area proposals, and the need for services, round jobs and boosting local economies, and ultimately
training, staffing, or contracting in other forests that would improve the recreation experience for visitors.
improve permit administration. Regional Winter Sports NSAA is enlisting help from all public land ski areas
NEPA teams can be funded with the retained funds. to line up co-sponsors for the bill in the House and the
Finally, if ski area permit administration needs are met Senate. We have posted sample co-sponsor letters on www.
across the country, including the transfers or sharing of nsaa along with background information. The sample let-
retained fees to other national forests, the bill allows retained ters include a summary of the bill as page 2 for easy ref-
funds to be expended on non-ski area recreation permit erence. Public land resorts: Please do your part in helping
administration. This provision in particular makes the bill with co-sponsors! The more co-sponsors we have, the bet-
more attractive to a broader set of interests. ter the chances of passage. If your representative or senator is
Retaining recreation fees locally is not new, which makes already a co-sponsor, please consider sending them a thank
the bill easier to understand for Washington policymakers. you for their leadership and support.
Congress has already authorized local retention of recreation The bill was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural
user and permit fees through the Federal Land Recreation Resources Committee and the House Natural Resources
Enhancement Act (FLREA). In fact, the Forest Service retains Committee and Agriculture Committee. Ultimately, we
over $90 million annually through FLREA. It is time for ski hope to attach this bill to a vehicle that is moving and has
area fees, which are not included in FLREA, to be retained at promise; an Infrastructure Bill, the Farm Bill, or an Energy
the local level as well through this proposed legislation. Bill are all good candidates! NSAA will continue to provide
Many benefits come from this legislation, also making updates on developments.

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CONVENTION 2018 | NSAA JOURNAL | 9