If you own a cabin in the Mt. Hood National Forest, or if you are thinking about purchasing one, you might be interested to know that the potential fee increase owed for 2009 has been postponed for one year while the 111th Congress considers if the increases are fair. At this point the fee for 2009 will be 2% added on to the 2008 fee.

Here is the info straight off the web site for the forest service:

NOTICE TO HOLDERS

 

INFORMATION REGARDING 2009 RECREATION RESIDENCE FEES and LAND USE AUTHORIZATIONS

 

In response to requests from members of the 111th Congress to suspend fee increases required by the Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 2000 (CUFFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service considered postponing implementation of the 2009 fees required by CUFFA.  However, the Department’s Office of the General Counsel now advises that the agency lacks proper authority to postpone the billing of 2009 fees as required by law.

 

The Forest Service efforts to suspend increases in the 2009 recreation residence fees created some delays in billings and the re-issuance of land use authorizations.  These delays came about through efforts to clarify internal agency direction and billing procedures. 

 

This notice is to advise you that the recreation residence fees for 2009 must to be based on the most recent approved appraisal of your recreation residence lot, plus annual fee adjustments required by CUFFA.  To avoid confusion regarding the required fees and billing procedures, we want to describe your current bill and the status of your annual payment for your recreation residence.

 

If you have not paid your 2009 bill yet, please do so now but be sure to follow the instructions included in the letter that we sent you with your bill.  You must send a copy of the bill with your payment, and write the bill number on your check.  The bill and payment must be sent to the Los Angeles address included in the letter.  We will also send you a notice similar to this one in the mail.  Your bill will be due 30 days from the date that we send you the notice in the mail.

 

We regret any confusion that may have developed regarding the 2009 billing cycle.  Please contact Fran Lanagan by email at [email protected] or by phone at 503-622-3191 ext 605 with any questions or concerns.