Comment Period to be Re-Opened on Forest Service Fees #ARRL #hamradio

Repeater owners in the Division who have their systems on U.S. Forest

Service properties are facing the possibility of a new fee levied by the
service.  There was a comment period on the proposal that recently
ended.  Because of the strong feed-back, that comment period will be
reopened.  Here are the relevant parts of an email I received from the
ARRL Washington Counsel, David Siddall, K3ZJ.  I am forwarding this with
his permission.

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The Forest Service sent a Notice to the Federal Register yesterday
announcing that they will re-open the window for comments on the
proposed new $1400. annual administrative fee.  This means that amateurs
that may have missed the earlier comment period, or who wish to file
additional arguments and information, can submit new filings between
March 1 and March 31.   A copy of the Notice to be published on March 1
is here: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-04254.pdf.
(This is completely public information.)

I notice that in several of the amateur comments sent me that there
appears some confusion.  The proposed fee is a new and separate fee, not
an increase to fees (such as rent) already being paid.  If adopted, the
existing fee(s) – which generally have been around $130-140 annually
for amateur uses – would have to be paid in addition to the new
proposed annual administrative fee of $1400.  IMHO, the fee would be so
high because the proposal is to include amateur uses equally with those
of commercial wireless entities such as broadcasters, cellular providers
and broadband entities that require a much more significant presence and
greater Forest Service support than amateurs. 

73, Dave K3ZJ