WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to permanently authorize the U.S. Forest Service to collect and retain marina fees at certain lakes located in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. As Congress works to improve access to outdoor recreation and protect our public lands, the Shasta Trinity Marina Fees Act would guarantee the necessary investment and resources to the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, which receives an estimated 3.5 million visitors annually. Last month, Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02) and Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.-01) passed the bipartisan companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

In 2008, Congress gave the Forest Service the ability to collect and retain marina fees in the Shasta Trinity National Forest in order to support the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. However, that authority expired in 2019, and Congress has granted the Forest Service one-year reauthorizations since then. This legislation makes this authority to collect marina fees permanent, so that this crucial funding is not subject to congressional inaction, government shutdowns, or political gamesmanship.

“The Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area is the largest driver of tourism activity in the area, and the Forest Service depends on the collection of marina fees to improve investment into its outdoor recreation infrastructure,” said Senator Padilla. “We must permanently ensure that this critical investment into Shasta Trinity National Forest won’t be threatened by government inaction or political gridlock. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation to provide permanent, crucial investments for one of California’s hubs for outdoor recreation.”

Specifically, the Shasta Trinity Marina Fees Act would permanently authorize the collection of fees for recreation enhancement projects such as boat ramp improvements, boating and water safety public service announcements, improved access to the lakes for persons with disabilities, and interpretive and educational programming.

Senator Padilla has been a leader on improved investments for land management, forest health, and improved access to outdoor recreation. Earlier this year, Padilla introduced the Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act, which would increase protections for public lands throughout northwest California, the Central Coast, and Los Angeles. Notably, it would expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by over 100,000 acres to fulfill the vision of permanently protecting the San Gabriel Mountains. Padilla has also been a strong advocate for expanding outdoor recreational opportunities in communities across the nation, introducing the bipartisan Outdoors for All Act alongside Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) earlier this year.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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