Public input sought for 007 trail usage

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Intersection of Road 274 and Central Camp Road, north of North Fork in Madera County

The U.S. Forest Service will be at the trailhead of the popular mountain bike and motorcycle trail to hear from the public as it begins the process of potentially designating the trail as part of its off-highway vehicle system. By designating the trail as part of its system, the USFS hopes to better maintain the trail and define its user groups.

Input is due Nov. 1 and also can be emailed to comments-pacificsouthwest-sierra-minarets-mariposa@fs.fed.us or mailed to the Bass Lake Ranger District, 57003 Road 225, North Fork 93643.

National Parks plan 17 fee-free days in 2012

The National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2012.

The fee-free dates are Jan. 14-16 (Martin Luther King Jr. weekend), April 21-29 (National Park Week), June 9 (Get Outdoors Day), Sept. 29 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 10-12 (Veterans Day weekend).

Details: nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

In addition, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service will waive entrance and standard amenity fees Jan. 14-16, June 9, Sept. 29, and Nov. 10-12.

Fish and Wildlife also will have a fee-free day Oct. 14 in recognition of National Wildlife Refuge Week. The Bureau of Reclamation will waive standard amenity fees Sept. 29 and Nov. 12.