FYI, this looks like it will affect the Santa Ynez Peak repeater site.

-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: SPECIAL BULLETIN – US Forest Service Extends Comment Filing Deadline Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2022 15:54:59 -0500 (EST) From: ARRL Members Only Web site memberlist@arrl.org To: arrlspam@keycodes.com

February 25, 2022

ARRL Legal Counsel, David Siddall, K3ZJ informed us this morning that the US Forest Service has sent a Notice to the Federal Register yesterday announcing that they will re-open the window for comments on the proposed new $1400 annual administrative fee for amateur repeater sites on their land, and in fact, all users. This means that amateurs that may have missed the earlier comment period, or who wish to file additional arguments and information, can submit new filings between March 1 and March 31. A copy of the Notice to be published on March 1 is here: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-04254.pdf. Please note the proposed fee is a new and separate fee, not an increase to fees (such as rent) already being paid. If adopted, the existing fee(s) – which generally have been around $130-140 annually for amateur uses – would have to be paid in addition to the new proposed annual administrative fee of $1400. This would put amateur installations on par with those of commercial wireless entities such as broadcasters, cellular providers and broadband entities. On February 22nd the ARRL filed their official comments in strong opposition to the new fees. The comments may be accessed here: https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FS-2022-0001-0749

73;

Mike Ritz, W7VO

-------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL Northwestern Division Director: Michael T Ritz, W7VO w7vo@arrl.org --------------------------------------------------------------------

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