HOT OFF THE PRESSES from the NFH

"It is now official: the Department of Agriculture, at the request of Congress, has ordered the Forest Service to temporarily suspend the increase in 2009 fees.

On January 5th, 2009, the Secretary of Agriculture sent the Chief of the Forest Service a directive that cabin owner fees due in 2009 are to be the same as the 2008 fees, with a 2% inflation adjustment. The Washington Office is now working on a directive to this effect to send to all the regions.

The directive will clearly state that this action is being taken in expectation of Congressional action in 2009 to revisit and revise/reform/replace the Cabin Users Fee Fairness Act (CUFFA).

If Congress does not take action regarding CUFFA in the next twelve months, the 2009 fee increases are to be collected retroactively by the FS.

In response to the question, Undersecretary of Agriculture Mark Rey said that any cabin owner who has already received a 2009 fee bill should ignore it and wait for a new fee in accord with this policy.

We still do not know what will happen to those whose fees were set to go down. As to those who have already paid their fees, we anticipate they will probably get a credit. The prospect of a refund in the current economic environment is unlikely unless Congress directs it in new legislation.

Those whose fees were scheduled to go up were to be billed on the basis of appraisals that were performed before CUFFA became effective.

As we understand it, no fees based on appraisals performed post-CUFFA were set to go into effect in 2009. Unless Congress fixes the fee setting issue, those fees will be implemented in the billing cycle that falls after one year has elapsed from the acceptance of the appraisal. So many could see fee rises in 2010 without the help of Congress. "

Fees 'Rolled Back'

With NO announcement or notification from the Forest Service and AFTER the 2009 Fees had been billed at the NEW rate (an 85% increase for the Metolius Tracts) our research tells us that 2009 fees will be 2008 level, plus 2%. That would seem to mean that lot permittees who payed the billing they got in mid December are due a return for over-payment.

Can all this be right? As of this writing we are a little confused ourselves. Aubrey King, NFH association representative in Washington, DC tells us he checked and the correct rate, FOR NOW anyway, should be 2008 rate plus 2%. We'll be verifying this soon with the Sisters Ranger District and post a followup for if it IS correct the FS owes some folks some money (plus interest).

'...Curiouser and curiouser....'

New Fees...

All the Metolius Cabins have their new fee by now and it's a bit of a hefty boost. We'd expected it, and dreaded it...but here it is.

The FS is just following procedure....and the rules of CUFFA set the formula for fees, so we're sort of stuck with it unless the rules can be changed. You're encouraged to support the CUFFA II group which seeks to modify CUFFA rules. If you need to know more visit the NFH link at this site or at the www.mrfha.org site for the NFH link.

And be prepared. It's gonna get worse...probably by 2011...That's when the NEW appraisals that just were done go into affect.

Permits ISSUED!

If you are a permitee on the Metolius you should have just revceived your 20 year Permit renewal. For god's sake read it right away and read it carefully! If you see anything that gives you trouble and you want the MRFHA Board to know about it send us an e-mail or call 503-530-6623 and ask for Mark.

This is the most important thing you've done about your cabin in the last 20 years so give it the importance it deserves. No surprises is OUR motto.

New Design Guidelines

The Forest Service, in an effort to keep the HISTORIC look and feel of cabins on/in the Deschutes National Forest, Camp Sherman AND the Metolius Cabins, have initiated a new set of rules they are calling guidelines. It would be wise for every permitee cabin owner in the Deschutes National Forest to know these rules; the size, lot location and exterior appearance are all GREATLY impacted. Hey, you've been warned.

Announcing the MRFHA Website

The Metolius River Forest Homeowners Assoc has been working these past years towards having a Internet presence and we finally launched our 'primitive' first formal attempt Sept 2008.

Over time we'll use BOTH this Blog site AND the Website as a means of staying in touch with out members and their guests. The Metolius and Camp Sherman, OR are magical and if you've been there you know why anyone would crave news of what is going on there.

Annual Meeting July 5th at 1PM

The MRFHA annual meeting will be Saturday, July 5^th 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, at the Camp Sherman Community Hall. Don Ratliff, senior fish biologist for PGE, will make a presentation, regarding fish restoration efforts and activities at Round Butte dam and the headwaters.

Additionally, Michael Riehle, Fishery Biologist, Sisters Ranger District, will speak (Article in this issue)

Jeff Sims will also be there to discuss permit renewals and the lot appraisal process, amongst other matters.

Finally, Oregon Senator Ben Westlund is expected to join us to discuss LUBA's recent decision and where the issue on destination resort development in the Metolius River area stands. Senator Westlund is a candidate for State Treasurer; historically State Treasurers have been effective in protecting special and unique places.

Call to LOT Appraisals Meeting!!!!

The MRFHA Lot Appraisals will occur as requirred every 10 years, on July 13th 2008.

At 10 AM to Noon on July 12th at The Deschutes Forest Supervisor's Office, 1001 SW Emkay, Bend, the appraiser will meet with cabin, and discuss the process and answer questions. We encourage lot Permit holders on the Metolius River to attend this important meeting if at all able! Make sure the appraiser understands that, as a minimum:

1. There is a public right-of-way between our lots and the Metolius, which effectively defines the lots as NOT River-Side Lots...Extremely important!
2. Major market impacts have reduced values on lots in Jefferson and Deschutes Counties, which the market as recognized as 'Over-Valued' and these drops MAY not be reflected in any sales used as comps expect the very recent ones within the last 4-6 months.
3. Though the forest service directs the comps be of bare lots at FAIR MARKET VALUE the FS lots have restrictions that greatly reduce the lot 'fair market value' and these restrictions vary from Forest to Forest; thus it is appropriate and reasonable that the restrictions on Metolius permits must at least be understood by the appraiser during his process.

Try to make this important meeting on the 12th, then if you are able you can meet with the appraiser on the 13th as he inspects the 6 Typical Lots.

Update on Call to Help

Well, for the MRFHA cabin owners the process of having our cabins reappraised is rapidly approaching. When they were last appraised the adjusted fair market value as $45-55,000. Raise your had if you think it will be lower this next time? I see.....no one with their hand up! Go to the head of the class.

We'll try to see if we can locate comparable private lot sales that have occurred in the past 24 months that might be used to help establish the new value but this is tough to do. We have a small group working on this but could really use help from any cabin owner/user on the Metolius that might want to get involved; especially if you have Real Estate experience (but a desire to help is most important). Contact us through mrfha.c-17@comcast.net