Should generators be permitted in developed, national forest and grassland campgrounds? The controversy continues - does the Forest Service need to address this issue through policy changes? See subjects above (and below) for talking points.

From my perspective, the use of generators has increased over the years. When we first come into a FS campground, I take a visual scan and look for generators sitting beside the trailers. I will do everything possible to avoid them. Even the generator users don't like the noise. They always seem to keep them as far away as possible - and point them in my direction.

I normally do not advocate additional rules or laws but in this case I do support a policy to limit the use of generators. It's the inconsiderate campers that ruin it for everyone.

Agree, Korbe.

If you need a generator while you camp, then you are in the wrong kind of campground for the RV'ing you want to do. There are RV parks and campgrounds that offer electricity. Go and camp there. Don't come to the quiet, peaceful NFCG and pollute us with your noisy generator!

Anyway, I will come down off my soap box... If there must be a rule, limit the time of day that generators can be operated. 10am to 2pm was a rule at Lake Michigan Recreation Area, Manistee National Forest about 15 years ago. Since then there have been no rules regarding generators, and, of course, that is being exploited.

This is an issue where you can’t please everyone all of the time. The purists don’t want any generators and most self-contained rig owners want them. I have an appreciation for the purist point of view as it applies to “peaceful” camping. I wish they had a bit more tolerance for the fact that my rig has air-conditioning and a microwave in it and I prefer to use them when necessary to make camping more enjoyable. That, on occasion, requires gen power. There is absolutely nothing wrong in camping with a two-man tent, a Styrofoam ice chest, open cook fire, and using a ‘vaulted toilet’ but I prefer some 21st century comforts.

Respectfully, I am not in the “wrong campground” for the RVing I want to do. If I had a desire to embrace solely the subdivision style camping, then I would only go to those with utilities and amenities. I enjoy squirrels, no cell coverage, and a no-street-light-at-night campsite as much as the purist.

Since NFCGs are taxpayer funded, public facilities, I see no reason to discriminate among any user. That would be like telling me that I can’t drive on a scenic highway that my tax dollars helped pay for. When they are converted to privately funded CGs, then I will get off my soapbox and defer to those who want to run them with a no gen policy or any other way that they see fit.

I don’t have objections to generator rules and I do not have a problem with being segregated in a part of a NFCG only where operation is allowed. That’s kinda like putting birds of a feather together, is it not? But it’s not within my power to make those changes. We can have conflicting opinions and beat our heads together on this issue forever, but it would be better if we combined forces to get the NF to try considering and pleasing those on each side of the issue. It appears that is also the consensus of opinion in the poll.

RVnIT, I have a fully self contained RV that uses battery power while camping in our forests. Having the right to do something is not the issue, as far as I'm concerned. I have been camping since I was a kid and was taught not to disturb my neighboring campers. Why should I turn my stereo up and force my neighbors to listen to it. It is not being considerate. For me, that is the bottom line.

I have been going to FS campgrounds less & less because of the inconsiderate generator users.

Korbe> Battery power, even with an inverter, will not run high amp equipment. Even tho the rules may give me the right to do so, I stated that I prefer only to use my generator “when necessary.” That is on a limited basis out of consideration for others who don’t like to hear them. I totally agree that consideration is any issue, but it is not the only one.

We all have a preference for what makes for a pleasant camping experience. I don’t like campfire smoke blowing in my face, but I tolerate it (or move my chair) out of consideration for fellow campers who gain pleasure from them. I don’t like ATVs in a campground, but if the rules permit it, then I need to tolerate it.

You and I would have full time jobs trying to enforce consideration. I’ve been a FS camp host on several occasions. I can guarantee that’s a losing battle. Which is why it makes more sense to allocate different segments of a campground for those who prefer one pleasure over another. Now if you were successful in getting generators banned in all NF, then that’s ok too. I’d prefer that a reasonable solution be worked out for each side of the issue. That’s something that each can come together and work on.

As the owner of a self contained RV, I do carry a generator around. I hate to listen to it, but on a cold night, it is nice to be able to charge my batteries sufficiently to run my furnace. At 70 years old, I like to have a few comforts. That being said, I don't see any reason that they should not be restricted to just a few hours of use each day.

My wife and I just spent 8 days in the Apalachicola n.f. (Mack Landing c.g.). The nightly low temps were in the 40s, so we didn't need a lot of heating. Even though we were the only people in the c.g.for 6 of those days, I never had to refill the tank. I would guess that the generator ran for a total of 4 or 5 hours. I can't imagine that anybody actually needs much more than that.

Joel