The Forest Service amended the agency's policy for ski area concessions by adding two ski area water clauses to the Special Uses Handbook, FSH 2709.11, Chapter 50.

The Final Directive is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Dec. 30, 2015. The Federal Register Notice provides background on the directive and includes the agency's response to comments received on the proposed directive.

This final directive follows the proposed directive for ski area water rights published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2014. That notice initiated a 60-day public comment period. Additionally, a 120-day Tribal consultation period began on July 28, 2014.

• News Release: Forest Service publishes final directive on long-term viability of ski areas operating on national forests
• Federal Register Notice (PDF | 740kb)
• Excerpt FSH 2709.11, Chapter 50, Ski Area Water Rights Clause D-30 - Prior Appropriation States (PDF | 88kb) | - Final 2015
• Excerpt FSH 2709.11, Chapter 50, Ski Area Water Rights Clause D-31 - Riparian States (PDF | 68kb) - Final 2015
• Webinar on the Final Directive (1 hour)

Directives for Additional Seasonal or Year-Round Recreation Activities at Ski Areas

A Federal Register Notice regarding the final directives for additional seasonal or year-round recreation activities at ski areas is scheduled to be published on April 17, 2014. The documents are provided below:

• FSM_2340 Privately Owned Recreation Opportunities (doc)
• FSM_2700, Chapter 2710, Special Use Authorization (docx)
• FSH_2709.14, Chapter 60, Winter Recreation Resorts and Other Concessions Involving Winter Sports (doc)
• FSH_2709.14, Chapter 10, Organizational Camps And Other Privately Owned Improvements Authorized For Groups (doc)
• U.S. Forest Service press release
• Federal Register Notice - Vol. 79, No. 74 April 17, 2014 - Additional Seasonal and Year-Round
  Recreation Activities at Ski Areas
• For Reference: Ski Area Recreation Opportunity Enhancement Act (SAROEA)

• Cost Recovery Fees for 2012
  
  

Advertising and Sponsorship at Concession Sites
Direction Regarding Advertising and Sponsorship at Concession Sites, FSM 2340, effective May 13, 2013. Link to Final Directive Advertising Sponsorship.

Questions and Answers Regarding Advertising and Sponsorship at Concession Sites. Link to Final QA Advertising Sponsorship 04 30 2013.

• Final Rule (PDF)
  Effective August 12, 2004
  
  

CUFFA - Cabin Users Fee Fairness Act of 2000
Procedures for Appraising Recreation Residence Lots and Managing Recreation Residence.
Federal Register Vol. 71, No. 63, April 3, 2006.

• Recreation Residence
  
  
• CUFFA Final Rules and Regulations (PDF)