Every decade, Los Padres National Forest officials enter into Special Use Permits with private companies, or concessionaires, to operate and maintain the forest’s 36 recreation facilities. In the past, six permits have been issued for the government-owned sites located on the forest’s five ranger districts — Monterey Ranger District, Santa Lucia Ranger District, Santa Barbara Ranger District, Ojai Ranger District, and Mt. Pinos Ranger District. This year, only one permit will be issued to replace the six expiring permits, meaning that only one concessionaire will oversee 36 concession campgrounds and recreation sites.
In what officials describe as a rigorous process, applicants must pay a processing fee, front the costs of preparing and issuing the permit, and undergo a Financial Ability Determination. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 15. Proposals should be mailed to Assistant Forest Recreation Officer Jeff Bensen at the following address: Forest Supervisor, Los Padres National Forest, Attention: Jeff Bensen, 6750 Navigator Way, Goleta, CA 93117.