Crapo, Risch Reintroduce Legislation to Keep Ski Fees Local, Support Recreation Management

Washington, D.C.--Idaho’s U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch reintroduced the Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development (SHRED) Act to invest in outdoor recreation in mountain communities by enabling National Forests to retain a portion of the annual fees paid by ski areas operating within their boundaries.  The SHRED Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during the last Congress.

“Idaho is a popular ski destination, and local economies depend on the tourism brought in by the recreational activity,” said Crapo.  “Supporting these areas and the local management of public lands is crucial for these communities to attract visitors and continue to thrive.  Taxpayer dollars are best spent at the local level, where meaningful and long lasting improvements are made.”

“Skiing is not only a favorite pastime for Idahoans, but an important contributor to our outdoor economy,” said Risch.  “The SHRED Act will keep funds close to home, allowing local ski areas in National Forests to make improvements to permit processes, facilities, trailheads, and wildfire prevention efforts.”

In exchange for using some of America’s most stunning forestlands, the 124 ski areas operating on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands across the country pay fees to the USFS that average more than $40 million annually.  Ten of Idaho’s 18 ski resorts operate, at least partially, on USFS land.  The SHRED Act would establish a framework for local National Forests to retain a portion of ski fees to offset increased recreational use and support local ski permit and program administration.  The SHRED Act also provides the USFS with flexibility to direct resources where they are needed the most.

The SHRED Act would:

• Keep Ski Fees Local: A Ski Area Fee Retention Account would be established to retain the fees that ski areas pay to the Forest Service.  For National Forests that generate ski fees, 80 percent of those fees are available for authorized uses at the local National Forest.  The remaining 20 percent of those fees would be available to assist any National Forests with winter or broad recreation needs. 

• Support Winter Recreation: In each forest, 75 percent of the retained funds are directly available to support the Forest Service Ski Area Program and permitting needs, process proposals for ski area improvement projects, provide information for visitors and prepare for wildfire.  Any excess funds can be directed to other National Forests with winter or broad recreation needs. 

• Address Broad Recreation Needs: In each forest, 25 percent of the retained funds are available to support a broad set of year round local recreation management and community needs, including special use permit administration, visitor services, trailhead improvements, facility maintenance, search and rescue activities, avalanche information and education, habitat restoration at recreation sites and affordable workforce housing.  This set-aside would dramatically increase some Forest Service units’ budgets to meet the growing visitation and demand for outdoor recreation.

The SHRED Act is supported by the National Ski Area Association and its 124 member ski areas operating on public lands.

The bill, introduced by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) and John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Dianne Feinstein (D-California), Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada). 

The bill text is available HERE.  A one-page summary of the bill is available HERE.

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