For Release: September 26, 2005
Contact: Diana Pietrasanta (760) 872-5028
CCal-05-87

BLM to Charge Campground Fee at "PV Pit"

To help defray operating expenses, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bishop Field Office will begin charging a fee for overnight camping when the Pleasant Valley Pit campground opens for the season this fall. The 75 campsites at the campground are open from November through May. Popular with rock climbers, the campground is located .5 miles off of the Pleasant Valley Road. Over 14,000 campers used the campground last season.

Camping fees, to be collected daily, will be $2.00 per vehicle per night. Golden Age Passes will be honored for discounted campground fees. The maximum length of stay at PV Pit campground will be 60 days.

"The Bishop Field Office appreciates the cooperation of the local campers and climbers who have voluntarily supported PV Pit winter campground in the past through donations," said BLM Bishop Field Manager Bill Dunkelberger. "However, donations and appropriated dollars can no longer support the needed services at the campground."
Fees collected will defray costs of campground host staffing, law enforcement patrols, cleaning, maintenance, repairs and improvements of the popular recreation site.

For more information contact Diana Pietrasanta at the Bishop Field Office at (760) 872-5028.

-BLM-

Bishop Field Office - 351 Pacu Lane Suite 100, - Bishop, CA 93514