Bill would let ski resorts' forest fees stay with local Forest Service units

What does this do?

S 472 creates a "Ski Area Fee Retention Account" so fees ski resorts pay to use National Forest land stay with the Forest Service instead of going to the general treasury. 80% of fees collected at a specific forest unit stay there for permitting, staff training, visitor services, wildfire risk reduction, trail and facility repairs, parking, avalanche safety, and search-and-rescue; the remaining 20% goes to other national forest units nationwide. If a local unit doesn't need its full share, the Forest Service can reduce it to as low as 60% and redirect the rest elsewhere in the system.

Who does it affect?

Ski resorts operating on national forest land, the U.S. Forest Service, and nearby communities are directly affected; skiers and other forest visitors are affected indirectly.

Why does it matter?

The change would keep ski-area fee revenue within the Forest Service system rather than the general treasury, shifting how these funds are allocated without officially replacing existing congressional funding. The money cannot be used for firefighting or land purchases.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• 80% of fees stay local
• 20% goes to other forests
• Supplements, doesn't replace funding