2B — THE OBSERVER & BAKER CITY HERALD Forest Service eases fire restrictions SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2020 OUTDOORS & REC The three national forests in the Blue Mountains have eased restrictions on campfi res ahead of this weekend’s predicted damp, cool weather. The public use restrictions are now at level A for both the Wallowa-Whitman and Uma- tilla national forests. That means campfi res are allowed in campgrounds and in dispersed camping areas, so long as the fi re is in a fi re ring or pit. Chain saw use is allowed between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. The Malheur National Forest has ended all Proposed New Recreation Fees*, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Proposed Recreation Fee Increases, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest WHITMAN RANGER DISTRICT SITES • Elkhorn Crest trailhead: $5 per vehicle • McBride campground, $15 per night WHITMAN RANGER DISTRICT CAMPGROUNDS • Nightly camping fee increase from $5 to $10 Oregon • Nightly camping fee increase from $5 * to $15 Eagle Forks, South Fork, Tamarack, Wetmore, Yellow Pine, Fish Lake* (current fee is $6) LA GRANDE DISTRICT SITES • Nightly camping fee of $10 Umapine, Two Color, Spring Creek, Boulder Park • Nightly group camping fee of $40 North Fork Catherine Creek • Nightly cabin rental fee of $60 Moss Springs LA GRANDE DISTRICT CAMPGROUNDS • Nightly camping fee increase from $5 to $10 Bird Track Springs, Moss Springs, Spool Cart, West Eagle HELLS CANYON NRA SITES • Nightly camping fee of $10 Windy Saddle, Snake River, Seven Devils, Saddle Creek, Black Lake • Trailhead parking fee of $5 Windy Saddle, Upper Snake River, Heaven’s Gate, Hat Point EAGLE CAP DISTRICT SITES • Nightly camping fee of $10 Boundary, Twin Lakes • Nightly cabin rental fee of $80 — Lostine LA GRANDE DISTRICT RENTAL CABIN • Two Color Guard Station, from $80 per night to $100 HELLS CANYON NRA CAMPGROUNDS • Nightly camping fee increase from $5 or $8 to $15 Pittsburg Landing, Ollokot, Indian Crossing • Nightly camping fee increase from $6 to $10 Coverdale, Hidden, Lick Creek • Nightly camping fee increase from $6 to $15 — Lake Fork • Nightly camping fee increase from $8 to $10 — Blackhorse WALLOWA VALLEY DISTRICT SITES • Nightly camping fee of $15 — Dougherty • Nightly camping fee of $10 — Canyon, Coyote EAGLE CAP DISTRICT CAMPGROUNDS • Nightly camping fee increase from $5 to $10 Arrow Forest, Irondyke, Shady, Turkey Flat, Two Pan, Walla Walla • Nightly camping fee increase from $6 to $10 Williamson, Hurricane Creek *campground fees would include $5 extra fee for each additional vehicle per site SITES WITH FEES ELIMINATED • Buck Creek, PO Saddle campgrounds, Warnock Corral T.H. SKI SEASON Continued from Page 1B Judy said it’s not known whether there will be any restrictions on ski- ers and boarders riding the chairlift, which requires people to sit shoulder- to-shoulder for the 7-minute ride to the top. Anthony Lakes usually opens in late November or early December, depending on snow conditions. will be open, but with limits on the number of people allowed inside at one time. Judy said there will not be any limits on the number of daily trail passes sold. Cat skiing and yurts Cat skiing won’t be available at least to start, since that service involves 12 people riding inside the relatively snug confi nes of a snow machine. Cross-country skiing and If the pandemic eases, cat skiing snowshoeing could resume during the season. The Nordic Center, in the Anthony The yurts will be available for Lake Guard Station east of the lodge, rent as usual, and employees will restrictions on campfi res. The Vale District of the Bureau of Land Management, which includes BLM land in Baker, Union and Wallowa counties, will cancel the district’s seasonal restrictions on campfi res starting Monday, Oct. 12. REC FEES Continued from Page 1B The Federal Lands Rec- reation Enhancement Act allows the Wallowa-Whitman to keep 95% of fees collected at most recreation sites to op- erate, maintain and improve sites on the forest. Fees pay for work such as pumping and cleaning toilets, the most expensive task at most sites, according to the Wallowa-Whitman. Of the forest’s 248 recre- ation sites, 65 require fees now. Teresa Fraser, the Wal- lowa-Whitman’s recreation program manager, said that during the past 15 years the forest’s costs to maintain many of its campgrounds and other recreation sites has exceeded the revenue they generate from fees. At Pittsburg Landing campground, on the Snake River in Hells Canyon, the Wallowa-Whitman has col- lected less than $10,000 per year over the past 3 years, while the average main- tenance cost for the camp- ground has been $30,000 per thoroughly clean and disinfect them between guests. Reservations will be available at www.anthonylakes.com starting Oct. 15. Ski school It will operate, but with COVID-19 precautions. Groups can book lessons online in advance. Rentals There will be limits on the num- ber of people inside the rental shop, and guests will enter on the ticket booth side and exit on the carpet side. Rental equipment will be sanitized between uses. Ski Patrol Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol will operate as close to normal as possible this season with precautions, includ- ing patrollers wearing face masks and other protective equipment. Retail shop It will be open, but with limits on the number of people inside simulta- neously. Ski For the Health of It The program that offers free lessons for local fi fth-graders is uncertain, but it could happen if the pandemic eases, Judy said. year. That doesn’t include the cost of a new drinking water system, paving and building renovation at the site. The Wallowa-Whitman also noted that since 2005, when fees were last in- creased, the federal cost of living index has increased by 36%, Oregon’s minimum wage has risen from $7.15 to $11.50 in the part of the state that includes the Wallowa- Whitman. The cost to hire a contrac- tor to pump toilets has nearly doubled during that period, according to the Wallowa- Whitman. Comments on the proposal are due by Nov. 15. Com- menting options: • Email to sm.fs.wwnf- webmail@usda.gov (include “fee proposal” in the subject line) • Phone: 541-805-2769 (leave a voicemail with your full name, ZIP code, and email address) • Mail comments to: Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Attention: Recreation Program Manager, 1550 Dewey Ave, Suite A, Baker City, OR 97814 PICK’N PATCH OPEN! Where: Corner of Booth Lane and Lower Cove Road When: Friday and Saturday: 9am-6pm Sunday: 10am-4pm Monday-Thursday: By appointment :KDW\RXZLOO¿QG Small corn maze, several varieties of pumpkins and gourds, straw bales, corn stalks. If you would like to schedule a VFKRRO¿HOGWULSRURWKHUHYHQW please call the number listed below. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ PickNPatchFarm farmkidsatoregonwireless.net Please call 541-786-2421 C LASSIFIEDS Published by The Observer & Baker City Herald - Serving Wallowa, Union and Baker Counties PLACING YOUR AD IS EASY...Union, Wallowa, and Baker Counties Phone La Grande - 541-963-3161 • Baker City - 541-523-3673 On-Line: www.lagrandeobserver.com www.bakercityherald.com SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2020 Email: Classifieds@lagrandeobserver.com Classifieds@bakercityherald.com 110 Announcements 110 Announcements We regret to inform you that BREAD OF LIFE FOODBANK 3453 “H” St. in Baker City is Closing Permanently Our last distribution will be: October 13, 2020 Thank you for your support during the years and God Bless You All DEADLINES: LINE ADS: Tuesday: 10:30am Monday Thursday: 10:30 am Wednesday Saturday: 10:30 am Friday DISPLAY ADS: 2 Days Prior to Publication Date