Forest Service Seeks Public Comment on Recreation Facility Improvements

Local Sources- The Forest Service has proposed to make improvements to three existing campgrounds, one boat ramp, and one existing group campground on the Hoosier National Forest and welcomes public feedback on the plans by June 22, 2023.

The campgrounds included in this proposal are Blackwell Campground, Shirley Creek Campground, and Youngs Creek Campground. Improvements include parking pad construction, fire ring and picnic table installation, planting native trees, replacing some hitch rails, drainage/culvert work, installing a single spigot waterline at Blackwell Campground, and adding fee tubes (pending fee proposal plan approval). These actions are proposed to improve recreational and camping opportunities and tier to the Eastern Region’s Recreation Reimagined Strategy, which emphasizes infrastructure sustainability. In addition, these improvements will better define campsites, promote a more welcoming atmosphere to new and existing users, eliminate deferred maintenance, and support the 2021 campground fee proposal plan. Campsites would maintain their existing availability of use to all visitors, including horse, tent, and RV campers.

Also proposed is the addition of a non-motorized boat loading and unloading ramp at Celina Lake in the Indian-Celina Lakes Recreation Area and the installation two small picnic shelters at Primrose and Goldenrod Group Campgrounds within the Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area.

Details of the project can be viewed in the maps and documents found at this webpage:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/hoosier/?project=64183

Public comments are most helpful if received by June 22, 2023.  Comments can be mailed to Hoosier National Forest, Attn: Campground Improvements, 811 Constitution Avenue, Bedford, IN 47421.  Or electronic comments can be sent in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text (.rtf), Word (.doc) or Portable Document Format (.pdf), to [email protected]. Facsimile comments may be faxed to (812) 547-9259.

The following information must be included when commenting:

• Commentor name, address, telephone number, and organization represented if applicable

• Title of this project (Campground Improvements) in the subject line

• Specific concerns, facts, and supporting reasons regarding your comments

Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public record for this project and will be available for public inspection. If you have any questions or would like additional information about this project, please contact Stacy Duke, Forest Recreation Program Manager, Wilderness Manager, [email protected], (812) 276-4726.