This one might include the attachments. :) Mark, HDX ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Mark J Tharp <kb7hdx@gmail.com> Date: Wed, Dec 22, 2021 at 12:10 PM Subject: Fwd: FW: USDA Forest Service - Proposed Rule (Programmatic Administrative Fee for Communications Use Authorizations) To: david davidsiddall-law.com <david@davidsiddall-law.com> Cc: Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org> David, (Siddall) can you take a look at this? The notice came out in the register today. I skimmed thru all of it, however you are better suited to see the "here is what they are really saying" things. As it stands currently, the FS charges nothing for Amateur use on it's land. Attached, is a current lease I have ( with the local SO) The FS comm use doc And text from the register. If this is going to be implemented to impose a 1400 dollar fee on amateur use, we will have a large issue. Thank you . Mark Mark J. Tharp KB7HDX VD NW Div. 509-952-5764 kb7hdx@arrl.org ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jahnke, Bart, W9JJ <w9jj@arrl.org> Date: Wed, Dec 22, 2021 at 11:37 AM Subject: FW: USDA Forest Service - Proposed Rule (Programmatic Administrative Fee for Communications Use Authorizations) To: Tharp, Mark, KB7HDX (VD, NW) <mtharp@arrl.org> Cc: Ritz, Mike, W7VO, (Dir, NW) <w7vo@comcast.net> *From:* Karpiej, Elizabeth, KA1DTU <KA1DTU@arrl.org> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 22, 2021 2:26 PM *To:* Michael Elders <michael.elders@gmail.com> *Subject:* RE: USDA Forest Service - Proposed Rule (Programmatic Administrative Fee for Communications Use Authorizations) Dear Michael: Thank you for your email. It has been forwarded to the Regulatory Department. Liz H Karpiej KA1DTU Member Services Representative ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio® 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400 USA Tel: Toll Free (US) 1-888-277-5289 or (860) 594-0200 FAX: (860) 594-0303 web: www.arrl.org email: ekarpiej@arrl.org Hello Mark, Last time one of these surfaced, you offered to reach out to the correspondent to share the current status and implications. Might you do so again for this fellow (unless there’s something new regarding Forest Service repeater site fees and Amateur Radio)? Thanks in advance and happy holidays! 73 Bart W9JJ Bart Jahnke, W9JJ Radiosport and Regulatory Information Manager ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio® 225 Main Street Newington CT 06111-1400 Telephone: 860-594-0272 Fax: 860-594-0346 bjahnke@arrl.org www.arrl.org *From:* Michael Elders <michael.elders@gmail.com> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 22, 2021 2:14 PM *To:* HQ Info <hq@arrl.org> *Subject:* Fwd: USDA Forest Service - Proposed Rule (Programmatic Administrative Fee for Communications Use Authorizations) Hello, I am asking HQ to investigate this issue. The forest service is proposing an additional $1400 a year be placed on comm sites with USDA Forest Service authorizations. This would put us out of business on repeater sites. As you know allot of us put our own money up to provide repeaters and communications links for Amateur Radio. Without mountain top sites VHF and UHF communications would suffer, especially in the event of an emergency. Your attention in this matter would be appreciated. Thank you Mike Elders AD7W Begin forwarded message: *From: *"Perry, Joey -FS" <joey.perry@usda.gov> *Subject: USDA Forest Service - Proposed Rule (Programmatic Administrative Fee for Communications Use Authorizations)* *Date: *December 22, 2021 at 11:43:11 AM MST The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proposing to amend its existing regulations to charge a statutorily required annual programmatic administrative fee for new and existing communications use authorizations to cover the costs of administering the Agency’s communications use program. The notice was published in the Federal Register today, with the comment period ending on *February 22, 2022.* In summary, the Forest Service is proposing to charge an annual programmatic administrative fee of $1,400 per communications use authorization for wireless uses and $400 per communications use authorization for wired uses; the fees would be indexed annually for inflation. These fees represent the Forest Service’s estimated average cost of administering its communications use program, prorated among all authorization holders. 86 FR 72540 - Land Uses; Special Uses; Annual Programmatic Administrative Fee for Communications Use Authorizations - Content Details - 2021-27681 (govinfo.gov) <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govinfo.gov%2Fapp%2Fdetails%2FFR-2021-12-22%2F2021-27681&data=04%7C01%7C%7C8e0426a4d2964041687708d9c5727f72%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637757917812350534%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=KVKj7UPDWi9Gq2YJ9zq2rqBjX7gwzojY8F8P81%2B0tSg%3D&reserved=0> I will be out of the office until January 3, 2022. If you have questions, please contact me then. Thank you, *Joey Perry (she/her) Program Manager – Communications Uses* *Forest Service* *Washington Office, Lands & Realty Management* *p: 530-251-3286 joey.perry@usda.gov <joey.perry@usda.gov>* 1330 Bayshore Way Eureka, CA 95501 www.fs.fed.us <https://usda.gov/> <https://twitter.com/forestservice> <https://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Forest-Service/1431984283714112> *Caring for the land and serving people* This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.