USFS Cabin Management https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1728676 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:48:26 GMT Sat, 13 May 2023 19:26:37 GMT Copyright © 2023 National Forest Homeowners USFS Cabin Management https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1728676 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1728676 About five years ago I was told by some high level Forest people, that the Forest was contemplating a shift in the way the cabin program itself was to be managed.  Currently it is administered at the local level - meaning that every local Ranger and their staff interprets FSH 2709.11- SPECIAL USES HANDBOOK CHAPTER 40 - SPECIAL USES ADMINISTRATION - 2709.11-2016-2 section 41.23 any way they see fit which, of course, leads to different policies regarding common issues, in different areas. 

I was told that the Forest recognized this problem and was going to correct it by copying the changes made for ski slope operators nationwide.

Does anyone know anything about this?

]]> Mon, 27 Feb 2023 20:07:58 GMT Reply https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1729742 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1729742 Tim,

I'm not sure who from the USFS suggested the agency was considering changing the way the Recreation Residence (cabin) program is managed. During the last 10 years I've been a NFH Director and the many meetings we have had with senior level USFS leaders, no one has suggested any significant changes regarding the way the cabin program is managed. The USFS is an organization that encourages the regional, forest, or district line officers to make decisions regarding various programs for their respective district, forest, or region within the national and regional written policies (handbooks). I view line officers as "general managers" of their respective organizations, which also relies on advice from staff specialists with expertise in various subject matters.

Some policies are written to be very specific, which leaves very little room for local interpretation. Other policies are written to allow some localized management discretion.  My observation is the cabin program is managed similar to all other special use recreation programs, which does, in some situations, lead to different interpretations by different forests.

To the best of my knowledge, the Ski Area recreation program is managed the same way. Each Region and Forest manages ski areas in their area within the general guidelines of the USFS national and regional policies, sometimes resulting in the same type of inconsistencies we sometimes see with the cabin program.

Doug Gann
NFH Past President

]]> Wed, 8 Mar 2023 02:34:16 GMT https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1730077 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1730077
Your answer will be digested at the highest levels.

I was given that "possible change" information, confidentially, in an earlier USDA/Forest world. Unfortunately, a lot of water has flowed under the Forest Service bridge since that time, and the Forest has been put on the defensive due to its fire control, and tree/land management policies. Here, in California we felt the results of bad planning by suffering massive out-of-control, raging forest fires. Since then there has been a bi-partisan acceptance of that mismanagement and an effort to put the Forest on an acceptable track. Bipartisan discussions are going on right now at the Executive and Congressional level. I am involved in that.

I want what is best for the historic cabin program and the cabin owners - as I am sure you do.. Forest policy decisions are made regarding Forest policy, Doug, at the executive, and legislative, level, not with Forest middle management.

I will be glad to keep you posted.

]]> Fri, 10 Mar 2023 16:25:36 GMT https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1737558 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1737558 What is the nature and extent of the changes being discussed?
Do you have a link to the changes for ski areas that you referenced?
Is the USFS in any way planning to consult with the NFH association regarding the proposed changes?
If the proposed changes are national in scope, will this process be subject to NEPA?
If you or any members of the NFH board can share additional information on the scope of the proposed changes, and the timeline for implementation it would be worthy of a detailed article in the members newsletter.
Thank you!]]> Fri, 12 May 2023 20:32:54 GMT https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1737602 https://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1737602
About the Ski Slope thing - The Ski Slope organization NSAA sued the Forest Service several years ago about water issues, and won. Their issues are similar to ours. Just below I will give you a link to the case explanation. You can see the similarity in the problems.

After the case was adjudicated the Forest and the Ski people formed a partnership so they could work together better.

https://casetext.com/case/natl-ski-areas-assn-1
]]> Sat, 13 May 2023 20:26:37 GMT