ASHEVILLE – On the heels of recentfee increases at campgrounds and dayuse areas in the Pisgah and Nantahalanational forests, the U.S. Forest Serviceis proposing to double and in somecases triple the fees at four other recrea-tion areas.

The Forest Service has opened a pub-lic comment period through May 31,where people can weigh in on the pro-posed fee changes at two off-highwayvehicle areas, Tsali Recreation Area andthe Swan Cabin near Robbinsville.

The two forests together cover 1.1 mil-lion acres of widely varying terrainacross Western North Carolina, fromhighly used front-country trails andcampgrounds, to remote, hike-in onlyprimitive campsites, hiking, mountainbiking and equestrian trails, waterfallsand rivers and opportunities for rockclimbing, hunting, fishing, picnickingand ATV riding.

Forest service officials estimate thenumber of visitors each year at 5 millionto 6 million, and growing.

More fee increases ontap for WNC forests?

The Brown Mountain OHV Trail System in the PisgahNational Forest has seen a 37% increase in use over thepast decade.

Rate hikes proposed at Pisgah, Nantahala, other recreation areasKaren Chávez Asheville Citizen TimesUSA TODAY NETWORK

See FOREST FEES, Page 4A

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a fee increase atthe Wayehutta OHV recreation area in the NantahalaNational Forest. PHOTOS COURTESY OF U.S. FOREST SERVICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019 ❚ CITIZEN-TIMES.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

S E R V I N G A S H E V I L L E S I N C E 1 8 7 0

F I N E C U S T O M W O O DW O R K I N G , M I L LW O R K & D E S I G N

It’s LESS thanyou think!

Remodel yourKitchen& Bathroom

Get My Free Design Today

828-785-4506

Free Top-NameDishwasher includedwith Purchase

or UP TO$1000 OFF

your entire Project!*Minimum purchase required.

Offer expires 4/30/19.

DESIGNED FOR YOU!

NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK!

T H E V O I C E O F T H E M O U N TA I N S

Weather

High 79° ❚ Low 56°Sunshine, clouds.Forecast, 6C

Vol. 150 No. 115 ©2019 $2.50 Kids left in hot cars legal?

NC ranks sixth in the nation forinfant heatstroke fatalities invehicles as of 2019. 3A

Trump vs. Democrats: Presidentsays he’d fight impeachmentattempt in Supreme Court. 1B

QEAJAB-12200v

RALEIGH – North Carolina Gov. RoyCooper used a round-table discussionwith rural hospital executivesWednesday to raise pressure on Re-publican lawmakers to expand Medi-caid coverage to more uninsuredadults.

Executives from seven hospitalsmet with the Democratic governor andexpressed support for offering Medi-caid to more uninsured adults whocan’t otherwise qualify because theymake too much money. They said the

Governorpushes forMedicaidexpansionAmanda Morris ASSOCIATED PRESS

See MEDICAID, Page 4A

Jack Stevens, a pillar of Asheville’slegal community, a four-term state leg-

islator and prominentamateur local historian— a man who sailed theCaribbean and hikedHadrian’s Wall in hisspare time — died Tues-day at age 85.

“He was a titan as alawyer — he was ex-

traordinarily well-respected,” saidJohn Mason, a retired former law part-ner of Stevens’ at Roberts & Stevens.“He had a quick, sharp legal mind. Andhe had the ability to get along well withpeople he certainly liked and agreed

FormerlegislatorStevensdies at 85He was described as a‘titan’ in law community

John Boyle Asheville Citizen TimesUSA TODAY NETWORK

See STEVENS, Page 5A

Stevens

4A ❚ THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019 ❚ ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES

SHOPS ATLY CENTERiendly Ave.

MON-CLOSED

MUK30

WE SERVICE ALL BRANDSTRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!! 0% FINANCING (w/approved credit)

BB880-AD

$8999Reg. $14999

ORECK® DeluxeHandheld CanisterFor those hard-to-reach places!

SAVE $60

SUPPLIES LIMITED! NO RAINCHECKS!

PRICE GUARANTEE

SATURDAY8AM-NOON

SHOPEARLY!

PLUS MUCH MORE! LOWEST PRICES OF THE SEASON! 4 HOURS ONLY!

OPEN AT 8AM ON APRIL 27

FRIEND3354 W. Fr

-SAT 10-6D SUNDAY

odel:010

OPEN AT 8A

ORECK®Elevate Control®

Only9 Lbs!

SAVE $100

$199 99Reg.$29999

®RICCARSupraliteStandard

$34999Reg.$49999

Only8 Lbs

SAVE $150

Model:R10S

HOURS ONLY!

ORECK®Orbiter FloorMachine®

$39999Reg.$49999

Deep cleans allfloors & carpets

Includes2 FREE

accessories!($50 value!)

Model:ORB700

Formerly Oreck of the Carolinas

B

7th!

ys!

RICCARBroomVacuum

For aquickclean!

$9999Reg.$14999

SAVE $50

Model:R60

$14999Reg. $29999

Filters all allergens and household odors!AIRPCS

ORECK® ProfessionalAir Purifier

HALF PRICE!

Only 5 at this price!AK51001

Early Bird Special!$1999Reg. $4999

ORECK® eCloth WholeHome Cleaning Pack

Limit 1 per customer

Save up to $100on select MIELE

Vacuums!

FREE Pack of Bags withFirst 5 Vacuums Sold!

RICCAR GeHandheldVacuum

mdModel: GEM

$2999Reg. $3999

For smallpick-ups!

DOORBUSTERDOORBUSTERDOORBUSTERSALE!

Best Vacuums • Best Value • Expert Service

Oreck® CleaningProductsBuy 2, Get 1

FREE!

336-299-9488 CarolinaVacuums.com

ORECK® SelectAllergen Bags

AK1CCA

Buy 1, Get 1FREE!

828-296-9900 CarolinaVacuums.com

83 S. Tunnel RdAsheville, NC 28805

Fees would offset higher use

Mike Wilkins, district ranger on theNantahala Ranger District of the Nanta-hala, said the increase in visitation andforest use is not being matched by fund-ing for maintenance, upkeep and otherservices.

“Public lands benefit every American,and recreation fee revenue helps protectnatural resources and enhance recrea-tion opportunities on national forests,”Wilkins said.

The goal of the proposed changes is toestablish a consistent fee approach forthe National Forests in North Carolinaand to improve visitor experiencesthrough site upgrades paid for by thecollected fees, he said.

“These fees will enhance our impor-tant multiuse trail systems and protectour historic cabin rental,” said AndyGaston, District Ranger on the Cheoahand Tusquitee Ranger Districts.

The Swan Cabin was built in 1931 byFrank Swan in a different location. It waslater moved to its current location nearthe Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wildernessand offers a remote, rustic, tranquil set-ting surrounded by meadows. It sleepsup to 10 people, but has no running wateror electricity.

The proposal is to double the fee from$25 to $50 a night.

Proposed fee increases at TsaliMountain Bike and Equestrian TrailComplex will more than double at thepopular recreation area near FontanaLake, from $2 to $5 per rider (mountainbikers and equestrians), and $15 to $30for an annual pass.

No change to fees in years

Prices at many forest sites have re-mained the same for more than a decadeand have not kept pace with other recre-ation sites with similar services andamenities, but many sites have receivedvarious improvements and upgrades.

“We’re looking forward to improvingour OHV trails. Markets have changedand more OHV riders are showing up toBrown Mountain with side-by-sides.Many of our trails were designed to ac-commodate four-wheelers. We’re wid-ening those trails for the new, widerside-by-sides that we are seeing moreof,” said Nicholas Larson, district rangeron the Grandfather Ranger District.

These fee changes are only proposed.After public comments are received, theForest Service will assess the commentsand concerns and then present the feeproposals to the Southern Region Recre-ation Resource Advisory Committee,

said Adrianne Rubiaco, Forest Servicespokeswoman.

The Federal Lands Recreation En-hancement Act of 2004 allows theForest Service to keep 80-95% of feescollected to operate, maintain and im-prove the recreation sites.

Brown Mountain OHV Visitor usehas increased from approximately8,000 to 11,000 visitors per year, abouta 37% use increase over the past 10years, Rubiaco said.

“The fee increase will help withmaintenance costs. Last year, we wereable to secure a Recreation Trails Pro-gram grant through the N.C. Depart-ment of Natural and Cultural Re-sources for $100,000 which, in addi-tion to the $50,000 fee revenue forBrown Mountain OHV, covered theyearly maintenance cost of $150,000,”Rubiaco said.

She said the road to the WayehuttaOHV trail system was closed April 20due to a landslide on Forest ServiceRoad 4650 in Jackson County. The 27-mile trail system on the NantahalaRanger District will be closed until theroad can be prepared, she said.

Find other OHV trails here.

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a fee increase on the Brown Mountain OHVTrail System because of increase in use. COURTESY OF U.S. FOREST SERVICE

Forest feesContinued from Page 1A

Proposed Forest Servicefee changes

Cabins

❚ Swan Cabin in Robbinsville: in-crease from $25 per night to $50 pernight

Specialized Mountain Bike andEquestrian Trails:

❚ Tsali Mountain Bike and EquestrianTrail Complex: Increase from $2 to $5per rider per day, and $15 to $30 an-nual pass (only to mountain bikersand equestrians).

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)Trails

❚ Brown Mountain OHV Trail Com-plex: Increase from $5 to $15 pervehicle per day, and $30 to $60 annu-al pass, phased in over two years.

❚ Wayehutta OHV Trail Complex:Increase from $5 to $15 per vehicleper day, and $30 to $60 annual pass,phased in over two years.

For more information visit the NorthCarolina Forest Service website.

Want to comment?

To provide comments on the fee pro-posal, call Logan Free at 828-257-4256, email NFsNCfeepropo-sals@fs.fed.us, or send by mail toRecreation Fee Proposals, 160A Zilli-coa St., Asheville, NC 28801.

moneymarket

on new accounts, minimum balance of $10,000,with eligible checking account

up to 2.25% APY

our highestrate ever

Insured by NCUA. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate asof last dividend declaration date and subject to change after account isopened. Advertised rate is applicable for the first 185 days after accountopening and if daily account balance is $10,000 or greater. If daily accountbalance falls below $10,000 within the first 185 days, the applicable ratewill be 1.00% APY or 0.00% APY on balances less than $1,000. APY after 185days is dependent on daily account balance: 0.00% APY on balance lessthan $1,000; 1.00% APY on balances of $1,000+; 1.10% APY on balances of$50,000+; 1.20% APY on balances of $100,000+; 1.30% APY on balances of$150,000+; 1.40% APY on balances of $200,000+; 1.50% APY on balances of$250,000+; 1.75% APY on balances of $500,000+; and 2.00% APY on balancesof $750,000+. All advertised APYs include a 0.50% APY increase for havingan eligible United Rewards or Ultra Checking account with an averagemonthly balance of at least $1 on the date dividends are paid. Fees mayreduce earnings on the account. Dividends calculated by the daily balancemethod which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the accounteach day. Withdrawals limited to six per statement period. Minimumbalance to open account is $1,000. Consumer Bonus Builder Money Marketaccounts only; business accounts not eligible. For accounts opened1/1/2019 through 4/30/2019.

Bring your savings to United. Build it faster.(888) 982-1400 | UnitedFCU.com1441 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC

expansion would help them reduce thecost their hospitals bear for uncom-pensated care.

A bill filed this month by someHouse Republicans would require re-cipients of the expanded benefit to paypremiums and meet some work re-quirements. A similar bill was pro-posed in 2017, but failed amid GOP op-position.

Cooper expressed reservationsabout the bill’s work requirements, butsaid he wants to work with legislatorsto hammer out specifics of Medicaidexpansion.

“Let’s concentrate on this expan-sion that will be positive for everyone.We know this will increase the bottomline so that rural hospitals can hiremore doctors and nurses, so thathealth care premiums for everyone canbe affected, so that jobs can be creat-ed,” Cooper said. “Then, we negotiatethose other issues.”

Expanding Medicaid has long beena goal of Cooper’s. This session he hasmore leverage to negotiate after Dem-ocrats broke veto-proof majorities inboth houses of the General Assemblylast fall.

But any expansion would face anuphill battle. While some House Re-publicans support expansion, Coop-er’s greatest challenge is drum up sup-port from Senate Republicans, whostrongly oppose the idea.

If the bill introduced by House Re-publicans passes, the federal govern-ment would pay 90% of the cost of Me-dicaid expansion and the state wouldcover the other 10% through assess-ments, or taxes on hospitals and otherhealth care providers. At Wednesday’sdiscussion, Lee Isley, the CEO for NashUNC Health Care, said that if NorthCarolina chooses to expand Medicaid,he wants to see the state’s 10% costshared among hospitals and health in-surance companies.

“All we’re asking is a fair distribu-tion for providers to be able to share inthe cost so that we can all share in thebenefit,” Isley said.

Five hospitals submitted resolu-tions to the governor’s office at theevent, urging the General Assembly toexpand Medicaid in North Carolina as

soon as possible.At stake is the ability for rural hospi-

tals to survive. Since 2010, dozens of ru-ral hospitals have closed in the U.S. Fourwere in North Carolina.

“Last year we had $17 million worthof uncompensated care, so not quite athird … of our business is uncompensat-ed,” said Erlanger Western CarolinaHospital CEO Mark Kimball. “Everymonth we start in the hole a million andhalf dollars, and that’s tremendous, andwith this expansion of Medicaid, thatcould help us tremendously.”

Part of this debt is due to a high vol-ume of emergency room patients, manyof whom are uninsured.

Last year, Isley said his hospital lostabout $25 million. He said Nash UNCHealth Care, which serves roughly150,000 people, sees about 70,000emergency visits a year, which he called“a high percent.”

The hospital executives said a lack ofprimary care physicians within theircommunities serves to increase emer-gency room visits for untreated chronichealth issues.

“In our region, we’ve got a growingdoctor desert,” said Cape Fear ValleyHospital CEO Michael Nagowski. “InHarnett county, we have two OB-GYNsand one just told me he’s retiring.”

To address this, the bill filed byHouse Republicans would also set up arural health grant program that wouldput millions of dollars toward recruitingand retaining doctors and expandinghealth services.

However, Senate Republicans dis-pute claims that Medicaid expansionwould benefit the state. Senate leaderPhil Berger was not available for com-ment Wednesday, but his office referredto his previous statements arguing thattaxpayers in the private insurance mar-ket will end up paying the price for Me-dicaid expansion.

“There is no such thing as ‘free’ mon-ey, someone always has to pay,” Bergerwrote in a March 11 statement.

MedicaidContinued from Page 1A

“We know this will increase thebottom line so that rural hospitals canhire more doctors and nurses, so thathealth care premiums for everyonecan be affected, so that jobs can becreated.”

Gov. Roy CooperOn the Medicaid expansion bill