CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH JANEL CROOKS, U.S. FOREST SERVICE
The Hiawatha National Forest says it’s working to re-open campgrounds that were abruptly closed when a concessionaire stopped honoring reservations this summer. U.S. Forest Service spokesman Janel Crooks told the Radio Results Network on Wednesday that it’s in the process of re-opening those campgrounds with Forest Service personnel, but it’s a slow process.
The abrupt cancellation of many cust0mers’ campground reservations drew the attention of Upper Peninsula Congressman Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet).
“I wish to impress how harmful these sudden closures have been for those looking to visit the Upper Peninsula, and especially for the dozens of small communities who rely on these visitors during the camping season to make ends meet,” Bergman told the Forest Service. “While the temporary closure of six campsites may seem insignificant in the grand scheme, it has very real consequences on those who call the U.P. home. I therefore request the Forest Service do everything in its power to open as many of these sites as possible, as quickly as possible. I also request the openings be announced well in advance so that campers can plan their trips ahead of time, and at least a portion of the 2023 season can be salvaged.”
Crooks says they’re working on it.
“Unfortunately, the special use permit holder wasn’t able to open the campgrounds this season, and unexpededly cancelled those reservations,” Crooks said. “So, our staff are doing the pre-work necesary to open, at least some of those effected campgrounds, as soon as possible. Our staff are doing things like hazard tree mitigation, trimming limbs, doing water testing. All the preparations the concessionaire would have handled. Our staff are working on that, and we hope to open at least a subset of those six effected campgrounds, as soon as possible. We can’t do so until that pre-work is accomplished, and until we get the staffing needed to keep them open once they do open.”
RRN News asked Crooks if there is any recourse against the concessionaire, perhaps for breach of contract, for causing so many people inconvience this summer.
“That’s a really good questuion,” she said. “I don’t know how that piece works.”
Bergman says this needs to be solved soon.
“I appreciate the Forest Service’s efforts to ensure at least some of these campgrounds will be opened in mid-August. However, it’s important to note that this is near the end of the camping season and will offer little tangible relief for businesses that have already lost several months’ worth of customers.”
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