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Forest Services Waives Fees for National Get Outdoors Day June 9

Forest Services Waives Fees for National Get Outdoors Day June 9

Gainesville, GA- The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is waiving fees at most of its day-use recreation sites as part of National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day) on Saturday, June 9, 2012. GO Day is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with participating partners to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun.

"Through this fee waiver we hope to reach some first-time visitors to Georgia's national forests," said Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Supervisor George Bain. "It's a perfect opportunity for reconnecting our youth to the great outdoors. Go for a hike, cast a fishing line, look for wildlife, paddle a canoe...just get out and explore your public lands," said Bain.

Most day-use recreation areas in the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests that are open for the season and operated by the Forest Service will waive any normal day-use fees. Forest visitors may check with their local Forest Service office for more information. Specific sites with fee waivers in place on each Ranger District include:

Blue Ridge Ranger District Office (Blairsville, GA - 706-745-6928)
• Beasley Knob OHV Trailhead
• Deep Hole Recreation Area
• DeSoto Falls Recreation Area
• Lakewood Landing Boat Launch
• Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area
• Whissenhunt OHV Trailhead

Chattooga River Ranger District Office (Lakemont, GA - 706 754-6221):
• Frady Branch Trailhead
• Oakey Mountain OHV Trailhead

Conasauga Ranger District Office (Chatsworth, GA - 706 695-6736):
• Chestnut Mountain Shooting Range
• Dry Creek Trailhead
• Houston Valley OHV Trailhead
• Lake Conasauga Day Use Area
• Sumac Creek Shooting Range

Oconee Ranger District Office (Eatonton, GA - 706 485-7110):
• Dyar Pasture Day Use Area
• Lake Sinclair Day Use Area
• Miller Lake Day Use Area
• Ocmulgee Bluff Trailhead
• Oconee River Day Use Area
• Redlands Recreation Area
• Roberts Bike Camp OHV Trailhead
• Swords Recreation Area
• Town Creek OHV Trailhead

Additional information about the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, including details and status updates for all national forest recreation areas, is available on the web at www.fs.usda.gov/conf.

This is the second of four Forest Service fee waiver events in 2012, with others scheduled for National Public Lands Day - Sept. 29, and Veterans Day Weekend - Nov. 10-12. The fee waiver days support the goals of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative, as well as First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move Outside" program. For more information on the Forest Service's recreation fee program and how these funds are used, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/about-rec-fees.shtml.

The pilot effort of National Get Outdoors Day was launched on June 14, 2008, and has grown every year. Building on the success of More Kids in the Woods and other important efforts to connect Americans, and especially children, with nature and active lifestyles, the USDA Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition (ARC) led an inclusive, nationwide effort focusing on a single day when people would be inspired and motivated to get outdoors. For more information about GO Day, visitwww.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Encompassing around 867,000 acres across 26 counties, the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 118,000 acres of designated Wilderness, more than 800 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is part of the Southern Region, with the Forest Supervisor's office in Gainesville, Georgia, managing four District units in Blairsville (Blue Ridge District), Lakemont (Chattooga River District), Chatsworth (Conasauga District), and Eatonton (Oconee District).

Media Contact
Judy Toppins (770) 297-3061