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Search Our Site: 99 Bill Schneider at New West For definitive coverage of the recreation fee issue, you can do no better than Wild Bill Schneider at New West. He has gathered all his columns on the topic into a chronology, for easy reference. Check it out at http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/recreation_fee_chronology/C41/L41/ 2013 05 06 Siuslaw Visitors Hate Fees Siuslaw NF in Oregon is having a vandalism problem with its fee payment stations. Geez do you suppose it could be because the fees they are collecting are prohibited by law? The law says you cannot be required to pay for just passing through federal lands without using facilities and services. On the Siuslaw, 35 of the 51 day use fee sites are trailheads. While no one condones vandalism, when a federal agency treats citizens this way it tends to make them angry and the end result is pretty predictable. PDF files for this item 2013 05 06 Siuslaw Visitors Hate Fees 2013 04 18 Senior Pass Giveaway The forces of commercialization and privatization of our public lands are setting their sights on the Interagency Senior Pass. PDF files for this item 2013 04 18 Senior Pass Giveaway 2013 04 10 Sequoia Lawsuit Is Last Resort Kern Valley Sun re the lawsuit filed against the Sequoia NF Southern Sierra Pass fee program. PDF files for this item 2013 04 10 Sequoia Lawsuit Is Last Resort 2013 03 25 Washington State Discovers Passes Are Not The Answer When Washington State cut their state parks loose from state funding they predicted that the Discover Pass would bring the moola rolling in. Instead the parks are rotting and abandoned. Why is anyone surprised? PDF files for this item 2013 03 25 Washington State Discovers Passes Are Not The Answer 2013 02 04 Tonto Wants Fee Boost Tonto National Forest, which already operates the most complicated and expensive recreation fee program in the nation, wants to increase fees even more. PDF files for this item 2013 02 04 Tonto Wants Fee Boost 2012 10 25 Imperial Sand Dunes Wants Another Increase Imperial Sand Dunes in California charges an entrance fee - which is actually illegal. Now they want to increase it. PDF files for this item 2012 10 25 Imperial Sand Dunes Wants Another Increase 2012 10 01 Adventure Passes Continue On Los Padres Ventura (CA) Star report on the Los Padres National Forests continued denial that they have to get into compliance with federal law. They may not charge for parking or for access, only for use of developed amenities. Yet they continue to require an Adventure Pass just to park and enter the Forest, while claiming that they have to wait for public review before they change anything. Not true. No public review is necessary now that the federal courts have told them what is and is not legal. PDF files for this item 2012 10 01 Adventure Passes Continue On Los Padres 2012 08 21 Montana Volunteers Quit Over Fees The Bitterroot XC Ski Club in western Montana has discontinued a huge volunteer program that built and maintained the Gordon Reese cabin on Chief Joseph Pass. The cabin was built with volunteer labor and donated materials, and is situated in a ski trail system entirely groomed by volunteer labor and equipment. The club gave it freely to the Forest Service on the condition that winter use would always be free to the public. They have provided volunteer hosting and ski trail grooming in return for 60 nights each winter of overnight use by their membership, one of which was auctioned off annually as their major fundraiser. Now the Supervisor of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has slapped them in the face by cancelling the fundraiser, eliminating free overnight use and cutting their allocation of 60 nights of hosting in half. The club has responded by walking away from the cabin and wishing the Forest good luck. Club members will continue their volunteer grooming and care of the trails. PDF files for this item 2012 02 15 FS Ethics Panel Nixes Raffle 2012 08 08 Club Appeals to Chief 2012 08 15 Club Ends Volunteer Efforts 2012 08 16 Volunteers Cease Maintaining Cabin 2012 08 19 Montana Volunteers Drop Cabin Project 2012 08 21 USFS Disregards Volunteers 2012 08 22 Baucus Gets Involved In Ski Cabin Dispute 2012 08 12 Privatizing Does Not Compute Op-ed from California about privatizing state parks. The author makes arguments that are right on point for the Forest Service efforts to do the same with all recreation on our National Forests. PDF files for this item 2012 08 12 Privatizing Does Not Compute 2012 08 07 Public Agencies Charging For Nothing High Country News op-ed from a Sedona resident about the Forest Service being in denial that they are actually subject to the federal courts.Imagine that. PDF files for this item 2012 08 07 Public Agencies Charging For Nothing 2012 07 09 Looking Is Free At Mt Evans Westword in Denver re the new fee program at Mt Evans. Thanks to the the tenacity of a few determined citizens, you can now look at the mountain scenery for free. PDF files for this item 2012 07 09 Looking Is Free At Mt Evans 2012 07 07 Mt Evans Fee Dropped Denver Post on Forest Service dropping Mt Evans fee. PDF files for this item 2012 07 07 Mt Evans Fee Dropped 2012 07 07 FS Tweaks Mt Evans Fee It took four years and two lawsuits but the Forest Service is finally going to comply with federal law at Mt Evans in Colorado. PDF files for this item 2012 07 07 FS Tweaks Mt Evans Fee 2012 07 03 No More Pay To Play At Mt Evans Summit County (CO)Citizens Voice on the end of access fees at Mt Evans PDF files for this item 2012 07 03 No More Pay To Play At Mt Evans 2012 06 20 Green Mountain Reservoir Fees End After years of wrangling, the Forest Service is finally getting rid of the illegal parking fees for day use at Green Mountain Reservoir. PDF files for this item 2012 06 20 Green Mountain Reservoir Fees End 2012 05 26 The Great Outdoors Will Cost You In Washington state, ordinary folks are fed up with fees. But the Washington Trails Association and the Forest Service love them. PDF files for this item 2012 05 26 The Great Outdoors Will Cost You 2012 05 21 Pacific NW Drops Some Fees Forest Service is dropping some fees in the Pacific Northwest. However they are still basing their fees on the presence of amenities, rather than on the activity of the visitor. The federal court says they cannot charge for parking at a trailhead to go hiking, regardless of what amenities are present there. They plan to continue to do it anyway. PDF files for this item 2012 05 21 Pacific NW Drops Some Fees 2012 05 11 Coronado Uses Intimidation To Collect Fees Coronado National Forest uses intimidating tactics to continue charging fees ruled illegal by federal appeals court. PDF files for this item 2012 05 11 Coronado Uses Intimidation To Collect Fees 2012 05 06 Ohio Commission Pushes For End To Fees The County Commissioners of Lawrence County Ohio have sent a letter to Congress calling for an end to the fee for horse trail users. PDF files for this item 2012 05 06 Ohio Commission Pushes For End To Fees 2012 05 01 No Fees At Braley Pond George Washington and Jefferson National Forest officials deny planning to charge fees at Braley Pond recreations site. Why was there a sign posted to the contrary? Why, they just forgot to take it down. Yeah. Right. PDF files for this item 2012 05 01 No Fees At Braley Pond 2012 03 02 Pacific NW Fee Case Shortly after the 9th Circuit ruled an Arizona fee program was illegal, a federal court in Oregon dismissed all charges against a Portland hiker. Adi Fairbank had left his car parked for three days at a trailhead while he backpacked on the Pacific Crest Trail. On returning he had a federal ticket on his windshield for not having a Northwest Forest Pass on display. He contested the ticket based in part on the 9th Circuit decision, and the court dismissed the charges. This case shows the ruling is applicable nationwide, not just in Arizona. PDF files for this item 2012 02 24 Forest Service Asks Court To Dismiss Charges 2012 02 27 Court Order Case Dismissed 2012 03 02 Are NW Forest Fees Illegal? 2012 03 01 Forest Service Defies Court Forest Service announces that they will not be making any changes to their recreation fee program, despite being told by the 9th Circuit that they have exceeded their legal authority. PDF files for this item 2012 03 01 Forest Service Press Release 2012 03 02 Forest Service Defies Court 2012 03 04 American Fork Utah Fee Will Continue 2012 03 07 FS Behavior Falls Short 2012 03 08 Colorado Fees Will Continue 2012 03 15 FS Fees Continue In Ventura Despite Court 2012 05 11 Coronado Uses Intimidation To Collect Fees 2012 02 29 Most Forest Fees To End LA Times article about the Forest Service review of their fee program and the impact of the recent 9th Circuit decision. PDF files for this item 2012 02 29 Most Forest Fees To End 2012 02 28 9th Circuit Ruling Media Media around the recent 9th Circuit ruling striking down the Mt Lemmon fee area has been heavy. Here is a sampling. PDF files for this item 2012 02 18 Good Riddance Adventure Pass 2012 02 21 Adventure Pass In Doubt 2012 02 21 Court Says No Parking Fees 2012 02 21 Ruling Affects Los Padres NF 2012 02 21 Ruling Further Restricts Red Rocks Pass 2012 02 21 Ruling Affects Santa Barbara 2012 02 21 Tonto NF May Evade Fee Ruling 2012 02 22 Court Attacks Adventure Pass 2012 02 22 No More Fees On Mt Lemmon 2012 02 22 Public Lands Private Fees on Tonto NF 2012 02 23 Ruling Affects NW Forest Pass 2012 02 20 Court to FS: Take a Hike 2012 02 21 Fees Take Another Legal Hit 2012 02 20 Adventure Pass In Doubt 2012 02 22 Ruling Affects Oregon Forest Fees 2012 02 22 Fees Axed By Court 2012 02 21 Ruling Affects NW Forests 2012 02 24 Ruling Overturns Arizona Forest Fees 2012 02 24 SoCal Forests Continue Illegal Fee Pending Appeal 2012 02 24 Federal Court Chops Fee 2012 02 27 Response to Federal Court Chops Fees 2012 02 29 Adventure Pass Not Required 2012 02 29 Northern Utah Fees May End 2012 03 01 Fees To End On Los Padres 2012 03 01 LA Times Loves Fees 2012 03 01 Ruling Blocks Arizona Fees 2012 03 02 Hikers Axe Adventure Pass 2012 03 01 San Diego Fees May End 2012 03 01 Utah Fees In Question 2012 03 06 San Francisco Chronicle 2012 03 07 Fresno Bee 2012 03 08 Drop Utah Fees 2012 04 01 Pick and Shovel Gazette 2012 02 21 Fee Foes Hail Ruling Durango (CO) article about 9th Circuit ruling that the Forest Service has been exceeding its legal authority to charge fees. PDF files for this item 2012 02 21 Fee Foes Hail Ruling 2012 02 17 Restore the Public in Public Lands Letter to the editor of the Arizona Daily Star by successful plaintiff Gaye Adams, about the 9th Circuit decision overturning the Coronado National Forest fee program at Mt Lemmon near Tucson. PDF files for this item 2012 02 17 Restore the Public in Public Lands 2012 02 16 Court Ruling Affects Adventure Pass The Adventure Pass program in southern California requires a fee at hundreds of trailheads, even from those who just park and set off up the trail. The recent 9th Circuit ruling says the Forest Service can not do that. PDF files for this item 2012 02 16 Court Ruling Affects Adventure Pass 2012 02 15 Decision Impacts Adventure Pass Pasadena Star-News story about how the 9th Circuit decision will impact the Adventure Pass in Southern California. PDF files for this item 2012 02 15 Decision Impacts Adventure Pass 2012 02 15 Adventure Pass Could End Whittier California article correctly deducing that the Adventure Pass has been ruled illegal by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Forest Service still in denial. PDF files for this item 2012 02 15 Adventure Pass Could End 2012 02 10 Court Invalidates Mt Lemmon Fee 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturns the Mt Lemmon access fee! PDF files for this item 2012 02 10 Court Invalidates Mt Lemmon Fee 2012 02 10 Court Halts Mt Lemmon Fee Updated article from AZ Daily Star. Coronado National Forest is consulting with their lawyers to decide whether to follow the law or not. PDF files for this item 2012 02 10 Court Halts Mt Lemmon Fee 2012 02 10 Appeals Court Strikes Down Fees AP story about the Mt Lemmon appeals court decision PDF files for this item 2012 02 10 Appeals Court Strikes Down Fees 2012 02 10 9th Circuit Overturns Fees Courthouse News Service article about the Mt Lemmon Decision PDF files for this item 2012 02 10 9th Circuit Overturns Fees 2012 01 31 Red Rock Pass Changes Take Effect Verde Valley(AZ)on the changes to the Red Rocks Pass fee program, with a sidebar on how the Sedona events started a national ball rolling that will likely result in reductions in fee areas nationwide. PDF files for this item 2012 01 31 Red Rock Pass Changes Take Effect 2012 01 30 Clearwater Funding Cuts Mean More Concessionaires The Clearwater National Forest is having its funding cut - not by Congress but by their own Regional Office. In response they will turn over campgrounds that actually bring money in to the Forest and let that money flow instead to private concessionaires. This makes no sense at all. PDF files for this item 2012 01 30 Clearwater Funding Cuts Mean More Concessionaires 2012 01 27 Green Mountain May See Lower Fees From the Summit Daily (Colorado)Green Mountain Reservoir may soon be free for day use. PDF files for this item 2012 01 27 Green Mountain May See Lower Fees 2012 01 27 Federal Parks and Recreation Excerpt of the January 27 2012 issue of Washington insider newsletter Federal Parks and Recreation, about the possible demise of HIRAs. PDF files for this item 2012 01 27 Federal Parks and Recreation on HIRAs 2012 01 25 If A Fee Is Charged In The Forest Bakersfield Californian columnist Lois Henry on the review and reform of High Impact Recreation Areas by the Forest Service. Looks like smoke and mirrors, not real change. PDF files for this item 2012 01 25 If A Fee Is Charged In The Forest 2012 01 18 FS Forum Shopping The Forest Service is in such a hurry to get this new fee site approved that they are taking it to a Utah BLM advisory committee rather than the Colorado Forest Service committee that should have jurisdiction. PDF files for this item 2012 01 18 FS Forum Shopping 2012 01 06 Fees End In Wide Area From the Arizona Republic. The Red Rock Pass fee area in Sedona is being scaled way back. It will now be almost, but not quite, in compliance with the court decision in US v Smith. PDF files for this item 2012 01 06 Fees End In Wide Area 2012 01 01 Fed Up With Fees From AARP Magazine. Americans have had it up to here with all kinds of fees, not just recreation fees. PDF files for this item 2012 01 01 Fed Up With Fees 2012 01 01 Fed Up With Fees It is not just public lands fees. Americans are being fee-ed to death. This article from AARP magazine says people are getting fed up with it. PDF files for this item 2012 01 01 Fed Up With Fees 2011 12 23 Red Rock Pass Transforms Under Pressure Sedona Red Rocks News article about the move by the Coconino National Forest to bring the Red Rock Pass program into a little better compliance with the law. A welcome move, but still room for improvement. PDF files for this item 2011 12 23 Red Rock Pass Transforms Under Pressure 2011 12 19 Red Rock Pass Area Now Smaller From the Prescott Arizona Courier, the Coconino National Forest has shrunk the Red Rock Pass area to 11,000 acres from the previous 160,000. But they are still charging for access to several trails, and they cannot do that according to the court ruling. A little less illegal is not the same as legal. PDF files for this item 2011 12 19 Red Rock Pass Area Now Smaller 2011 12 14 Red Rock Pass Scaled Back Coconino National Forest is dramatically scaling back the size of the Red Rock Pass fee area around Sedona Arizona. This is a less illegal system than previously, but that is not the same as being legal. They are still charging for parking and access to trails, which both the law and the judge say is not allowed. Only a matter of time until they are hauled back into court. PDF files for this item 2011 12 14 Red Rock Pass Scaled Back 2011 12 04 NPS Stonewalls On Great Smoky Mts Fee Great Smoky Mountains National Park wants to start charging a fee for backcountry permits. They took comments for 30 days and received more than 1,500 of them. But they do not want to tell anyone what they said. A local backpacker who filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the comments is being told it will cost over a thousand dollars to provide them. PDF files for this item 2011 12 04 NPS Stonewalls On Great Smoky Mts Fee 2011 10 29 Summit Countys Dirty Secret Day use fees in Summit County have resulted in resource damage on surrounding public lands. PDF files for this item 2011 10 29 Summit Countys Dirty Secret 2011 10 22 Fewer Fee Sites In Sedona Coconino National Forest modifies the Red Rock Pass program to be a little bit less illegal. PDF files for this item 2011 10 22 Fewer Fee Sites In Sedona 2011 09 19 Tipton GAO Letter Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) and two House colleagues call on the GAO to do a complete audit of the federal recreation fee program PDF files for this item 2011 09 19 Tipton GAO Letter 2011 06 02 Red Rock Pass Changes Arizona Daily Sun article about the Red Rock Pass proposed changes - and why they would still not comply with the law. PDF files for this item 2011 06 02 Red Rock Pass Changes 2011 06 01 This Land Is Your Land Or Is It The problems and scandals created by the privatization of public lands are explored in this excellent article by Sedona resident Cindy Cole in The Noise, a northern Arizona arts and news magazine. PDF files for this item 2011 06 01 This Land Is Your Land Or Is It 2011 05 31 Tonto Needs Balance On Fees Opinion piece from the Payson Roundup about the Tonto National Forest plan to create new day use sites outside the law and turn them over to private management. PDF files for this item 2011 05 31 Tonto Needs Balance On Fees 2011 05 31 Tonto Fee Outcry May Prompt Change News article from Payson (AZ) Roundup. The Tonto National Forest may be backing down from their plan to create a batch of new fee areas and turn them over to private management. PDF files for this item 2011 05 31 Tonto Outcry May Prompt Change 2011 05 13 Where Is The Service? Letter to the editor of the Payson (AZ) Roundup about the proliferation of fees and privatization on the Tonto National Forest. PDF files for this item 2011 05 13 Where Is The Service? 2011 05 01 Open House Closed Minds The Sedona Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest wants to hear your thoughts about the Red Rock Pass, but they just do not want anyone else to hear them. PDF files for this item 2011 05 01 Open House Closed Minds 2011 04 27 Privatization Threatens Tonto Tonto National Forest is proposing to privatize dozens of recreation sites without any public process whatsoever. PDF files for this item 2011 04 27 Privatization Threatens Tonto 2011 04 27 Fighting Fees In The Red Rocks Flagstaff Public Radio story about the ongoing battle over the Red Rock Pass in Sedona. Audio available at www.knau.org PDF files for this item 2011 04 27 Fighting Fees In The Red Rocks 2011 04 12 The Best Things In Life Are Free Reprint of an article from SummitPost.org about the difficulties and expense of obtaining a permit from the BLM to visit The Wave, a much-photographed rock formation in southern Utah. BLM is running the permit system as a gambling racket, and generating thousands of dollars in non-refundable application fees from people who never do get permits. PDF files for this item 2011 04 12 The Best Things In Life Are Free 2011 04 01 Stormy Weather for Red Rock Pass Front page story from northern Arizona weekly The Noise about the desperate efforts by the Coconino National Forest to save the Red Rock Pass. PDF files for this item 2011 04 01 Stormy Weather for Red Rock Pass 2011 03 22 Red Rock Pass Deters Local Visits Editorial from the Verde Valley Independent about how the Red Rock Pass discourages residents from visiting their beautiful neighboring public lands. PDF files for this item 2011 03 22 Red Rock Pass Deters Local Visits 2011 03 20 Red Rock Pass Help Sought Coconino National Forest is looking for the public to help them decide what to do about the Red Rock Pass. Here is an idea. Read the law and follow it. PDF files for this item 2011 03 20 Red Rock Pass Help Sought 2011 03 03 Sedona Disputes Access Fees Sedona Arizona residents turn out to blast the Coconino National Forest and their Red Rock Pass access fee program. PDF files for this item 2011 03 03 Sedona Disputes Access Fees 2011 03 03 Forests For Sale Cover story from the Bend Oregon Source Weekly, about the creeping - oops make that galloping - commercialization and privatization of our National Forests. PDF files for this item 2011 03 03 Forests For Sale 2011 03 03 Cross Words At The Crossing Sedona residents are being told they must pay a concessionaire $2 to walk across 200 yards of National Forest land that is under private management, in order to access the bank of Oak Creek on the far side. PDF files for this item 2011 03 03 Cross Words At The Crossing 2011 02 21 Forest Service Tickets Families Having Snow Fun On a rare snow day, Santa Barbarans took their kids to the Los Padres National Forest, only to be slapped with federal tickets for not having a pass to park on the side of the road. PDF files for this item 2011 02 21 FS Tickets Families Having Snow Fun 2011 02 17 Does BLM Care? A total disregard for public input characterizes the Bureau of Land Management relationship with Jackson County Colorado. This is the front page article from the February 17 2011 Jackson County Star telling the whole sad story. PDF files for this item 2011 02 17 Does BLM Care? 2011 02 04 Toll Roads No More Popular Than Public Lands Fees LA is pushing back hard against the incursion of toll roads. There is a very close analogy between roads and public lands. They both serve the common good and have historically been funded by everyone. The move to charge directly for using them is meeting similar resistance in both cases. When will we return to a concept of public good instead of commercializing absolutely everything? PDF files for this item 2011 02 04 Toll Roads No More Popular Than Public Lands Fees 2011 01 19 FS Gives Away Campground Revenue An Oregon county is taking over management of several Forest Service campgrounds and paying the FS only 5.3% of the gross. If the FS managed these directly they could keep 100% of the gross. Why is the FS so anxious to get out of the recreation business? PDF files for this item 2011 01 19 FS Gives Away Campground Revenue 2011 01 18 Nickel Diming Quartering the Public Chicago experience with privatizing its parking meters shows why privatizing public lands is an equally bad idea. PDF files for this item 2011 01 18 Nickel Diming Quartering the Public 2011 01 05 Bagby Hot Springs Privatization Goes To Public Mt Hood National Forest has bowed to public pressure and will hold a public meeting to discuss whether Bagby Hot Springs should be privatized by having it managed by a private concessionaire. PDF files for this item 2011 01 05 Privatization of Bagby Hot Springs Goes to Public 2011 01 03 Privatizaion Is Soaking In On Mt Hood The Mt Hood National Forest wants to privatize a popular public hot springs, but is running into stiff public resistance. PDF files for this item 2011 01 03 Privatization Is Soaking In On Mt Hood 2010 12 06 Debate Steams Over Hot Springs Mt Hood National Forest wants to turn over a beloved backcountry hot springs that has been maintained by volunteers for decades to a private concessionaire to manage for profit. PDF files for this item 2010 12 06 Debate Steams Over Hot Springs 2010 11 18 Colorado Counties Object To Fourteener Fee Two Colorado counties refuse to support the imposition of an access fee for the 14,000 foot peaks in the Sangre de Cristo range on the San Isabel National Forest. PDF files for this item 2010 11 18 Colorado Counties Object to Fourteener Fee 2010 11 13 Skull Hollow Privatized, Then Closed In less than two years, Skull Hollow Campground on the Ochoco National Forest went from being free to a $5 fee, to being turned over to a private concessionaire to manage for profit. The concessionaire added a $3 extra vehicle fee on top of the $5, and now for the first time the campground will be closed in the winter even though climbers have relied on using it year round for years. The public has been completely taken out of the process. PDF files for this item 2010 11 13 Skull Hollow Privatized, Then Closed 2010 11 06 Vermont Campground Closure Ruffles Feathers The closure of a local campground by the Green Mountain National Forest has not gone down well with the local community. PDF files for this item 2010 11 06 Vermont Campground Closure Ruffles Feathers 2010 11 06 Campground Not Needed The Forest Service wants to build a campground, but this letter writer says there are far more pressing needs for the money. PDF files for this item 2010 11 06 Campground Not Needed 2010 10 29 Parking Fee In Idaho BLM in Idaho is going to start charging for parking at St Anthony Dunes, even though they are prohibited by law from charging for parking. PDF files for this item 2010 10 29 Parking Fee In Idaho 2010 10 27 Red Rock Pass Interim Changes Camp Verde (Arizona) Bugle article about the new enforcement rules for the Red Rock Pass. The pass will still be required at many places just for parking or simple access to a trail, both of which the recent court ruling said are illegal. PDF files for this item 2010 10 27 Red Rock Pass Interim Changes 2010 10 27 Red Rock Pass Changes Arizona Daily Sun article about the changes being made to enforcement of the Red Rock Pass program. There will still be places where a pass is required for access to trails and just for parking, both of which the recent court decision said are illegal. PDF files for this item 2010 10 27 Red Rock Pass Changes 2010 10 27 FS Press Release Coconino National Forest press release about the enforcement changes to the Red Rock Pass. They still plan to charge in many places for parking and access to trails, both of which the recent court decision says are illegal fees. PDF files for this item 2010 10 27 FS Press Release 2010 10 25 Colorado River Fees Going Up BLM in Colorado wants to increase access fees for the upper Colorado River. PDF files for this item 2010 10 25 Colorado River Fees Going Up 2010 10 23 Coconino Backs Off Verde Valley (AZ)News on the Coconino National Forest - sort of - getting into compliance with federal law with their Red Rock Pass program. Not exactly a clear picture yet. PDF files for this item 2010 10 23 Coconino Backs Off 2010 10 21 FS Moves To Intimidation Bill Schneider at NewWest.net on the Forest Service move to using intimidation tactics to collect fees they are not authorized to charge. PDF files for this item 2010 10 21 FS Moves To Intimidation 2010 10 21 Custer County Asked To Oppose Fee Wet Mountain Tribune article about the WSNFC request to Custer County officials that they oppose any access fee for the South Colony Lakes Basin, gateway to the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. PDF files for this item 2010 10 21 Custer County Asked To Oppose Fee 2010 10 16 Court Reins In Red Rock Pass Verde Valley (AZ) News article about the federal court decision that the Coconino National Forest does not have legal authority to charge for all access to 160,000 acres of public land. PDF files for this item 2010 10 16 Court Reins In Red Rock Pass 2010 10 15 Red Rock Pass Scope Reduced The Coconino National Forest has decided not to appeal their loss in US v Smith. Instead they are going to get the Red Rock Pass fee program into compliance with federal law. Thats one HIRA down, 95 to go. PDF files for this item 2010 10 15 Red Rock Pass Scope Reduced 2010 10 05 Fourteener Fees Controversial Tim Sprinkle article in NewWest.net crystallizes the issues that make fee-based access a very bad idea. PDF files for this item 2010 10 05 Fourteener Fees Controversial 2010 10 01 Judge Rules Against Red Rock Pass Red Rock News (Sedona, AZ) front page story about the decision in US v Smith PDF files for this item 2010 10 01 Judge Rules Against Red Rock Pass 2010 09 30 Outdoor Access Should Be Free Editorial in the Sedona Red Rock News. The editor misunderstands federal law, which requires that rules apply equally to all visitors. There is no such thing as a local when it comes to National Forests - they belong equally to those who live far away as to those who live nearby. Given that misunderstanding, otherwise a good editorial. PDF files for this item 2010 09 30 Outdoor Access Should Be Free 2010 09 29 Finally Our Day In Court The defendants story in his own words about the US v Smith decision. PDF files for this item 2010 09 29 Finally Our Day In Court 2010 09 29 Earth To Forest Service Bill Schneider on the Sedona decision that the Forest Service is greatly exceeding its fee authority. PDF files for this item 2010 09 29 Earth To Forest Service 2010 09 26 Judge Dismisses Red Rocks Ticket Jim Smith tells his own story in this article for Sedona.biz. PDF files for this item 2010 09 26 Judge Dismisses Red Rocks Ticket 2010 09 24 Denali and Rainier Fees Going Up NPS climbing fees at Denali and Rainier National Parks are about to skyrocket. PDF files for this item 2010 09 24 Denali and Rainier Fees Going Up 2010 09 23 Sedonan Wins In Court Sedonan Jim Smith succeeded in having his Red Rock Pass ticket thrown out in federal court because the Coconino National Forest is exceeding its legal authority to charge recreation fees. PDF files for this item 2010 09 23 Sedonan Wins In Court 2010 09 23 Make Fees Fit Use Confused and confusing editorial from the Flagstaff Daily Sun re US v Smith decision. Note that a lot of the work they credit to Red Rock Pass money was done by volunteers. The more developed sites that they support fees for are almost all managed by private concessionaires for profit and do not accept the Red Rocks Pass. Just about all the Red Rocks Pass money that does go to the Forest Service is for access to backcountry, and the judge just put a stop to that. PDF files for this item 2010 09 23 Make Fees Fit Use 2010 09 22 Case Could End HIRA Fees Kern Valley Sun says the US v Smith decision could be the end of scam HIRA fees. PDF files for this item 2010 09 22 Case Could End HIRA Fees 2010 09 21 Red Rock Fees In Legal Limbo The court victory by Jim Smith of Sedona Arizona could result in free access to millions of acres of National Forest that are now off limits to those without a pass to be there. PDF files for this item 2010 09 21 Red Rock Fees In Legal Limbo 2010 09 16 Live Fee Or Die Columnist David Feela in High Country News on the proliferation of fees, dwarfs and toads. PDF files for this item 2010 09 16 Live Fee Or Die 2010 09 05 Angeles NF Gets Little Funding The Angeles National Forest has been charging a $5 day use fee since 1996 - supposedly to supplement appropriated funding so they can adequately support the high level of use. Based on the numbers in this article they should be getting $4-5 million a year in user fees. But the Forest Service has cut their share of appropriated funds, so the place is still a mess. A true lose-lose situation. PDF files for this item 2010 09 05 Angeles NF Gets Little Funding 2010 08 17 Pass Confusion Remember when you could take a hike on a National Forest without any pass at all? Now we need advice columnists to sort out all the options. PDF files for this item 2010 08 17 Pass Confusion 2010 07 18 Fees Force Events To Cancel Longstanding organized events in the National Forests, many of them fundraisers for charity, are having to cancel because of skyrocketing fees. PDF files for this item 2010 07 18 Fees Force Events To Cancel 2010 07 16 BLM Plans New Fees At Lake Havasu BLM plans for new fees on boaters at Lake Havasu have the city government worried about the impact on tourism. PDF files for this item 2010 07 16 BLM Plans New Fees At Lake Havasu 2010 07 15 Fees Are The New Taxes TV story from Orange County Florida about government picking out pockets for fees instead of getting control of their spending. The Forest Service could be the poster child for this method. PDF files for this item 2010 07 15 Fees Are The New Taxes 2010 07 13 Waive National Park Fees Op-ed from the Arizona Republic making the connection between high entrance fees and declining visitation. Why do the Park Service and Forest Service not see this? PDF files for this item 2010 07 13 Waive National Park Fees 2010 07 13 New Jersey Parks Are Not For Sale Guest editorial against the New Jersey proposal to privatize state parks. PDF files for this item 2010 07 13 New Jersey Parks Are Not For Sale 2010 07 08 Boundary Waters Fees Up, Visitors Down As fees go up, visitation goes down. Duh. PDF files for this item 2010 07 08 Boundary Waters Fees Up, Visitors Down 2010 07 02 BLM Campground Fee Increase Mud Springs Campground near Grand Junction Colorado is increasing its fees. They tried to start a day use fee here but the WSNFC was able to get it quashed. PDF files for this item 2010 07 02 BLM Campground Fee Increase 2010 07 01 More Fees For North Carolina North Carolina just gets calloused to fees and gives up and pays them, according to the Forest Service spokesman in this article. And as a bonus, you can get a government job and earn back some of the fees you paid! He thinks that is just splendid. PDF files for this item 2010 07 01 More Fees For North Carolina 2010 06 15 Quillen On 14er Fees High Country News op-ed by Ed Quillen about the Forest Service proposal to charge an access for for climbing peaks inside a designated Wilderness. He gives all the reasons why that is a bad idea, then draws the conclusion that is is a good idea. Ed, what is the deal? PDF files for this item 2010 06 15 Quillen On 14er Fees 2010 06 10 Privatize At Your Peril Boston South End columnist explains why privatization of public services is such a terrible idea. PDF files for this item 2010 06 10 Privatize At Your Peril 2010 06 09 San Joaquin Gorge Gets Access Fees General access and parking fees are being proposed by the BLM at the San Joaquin River Gorge. PDF files for this item 2010 06 09 San Joaquin Gorge Gets Access Fees 2010 06 07 More Fees For Oak Creek The Forest Service continues its relentless progress toward complete privatization of recreation on our National Forests. PDF files for this item 2010 06 07 More Fees For Oak Creek 2010 06 05 Free Parking On Okanagon Wenatchee Oh Joy! The National Forests in the Pacific NW are offering a few days of free parking this summer! Of course federal law prohibits them from charging for parking in the first place, but this reporter got it right: it walks like a parking fee and quacks like a parking fee. Its a parking fee. PDF files for this item 2010 06 05 Free Parking On Okanagon Wenatchee 2010 06 04 Oregon Gets Fee Free Days Eugene (OR) Examiner article about the Forest Service offering two fee-free days in June. The Forest Service Chief now openly admits that some people are deterred from visiting a National Forest by a $5 per day fee. For years they have claimed that fees have no effect on visitation. It was always a ridiculous claim, and they are not even pretending anymore that that is true. PDF files for this item 2010 06 04 Oregon Gets Fee Free Days 2010 06 03 Why Do So Many Pay? Denver Westword Weekly asks why so many still pay the fee at Mt Evans when it is clearly against the law. PDF files for this item 2010 06 03 Why Do So Many Pay? 2010 06 01 Umpqua NF Gets More Fees More fees in the Pacific NW courtesy of the rubber-stamp Pacific Northwest Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. PDF files for this item 2010 06 01 Umpqua NF Gets More Fees 2010 05 31 Longs Peak Next Fourteener Fee Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park may be the next fourteener to charge a fee for climbing. This story from ABC Denver TV News. View embedded video at http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/23745748/detail.html PDF files for this item 2010 05 31 Longs Peak Next Fourteener Fee 2010 05 30 NPS Considers Fourteener Fee At Longs Peak The next fourteener to join the slippery slope of controlling use by charging fees may be Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. PDF files for this item 2010 05 30 NPS Considers Fourteener Fee At Longs Peak 2010 05 30 Boulder Loves Fourteener Fees Boulder Daily Camera editorial favoring access fees for fourteeners. PDF files for this item 2010 05 30 Boulder Loves Fourteener Fees 2010 05 28 Mt Evans CBS Denver TV News CBS Denver TV news story updating their coverage of the Mt Evans fee controversy. View embedded video at http://cbs4denver.com/consumer/mount.evans.road.2.1722991.html PDF files for this item 2010 05 28 Mt Evans CBS Denver TV News 2010 05 26 Fremont Winema Fee Increases Fremont-Winema National Forest implementing fee increases approved two years ago by the rubber-stamp Pacific Northwest Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. PDF files for this item 2010 05 26 Fremont Winema Fee Increases 2010 05 25 Senators Push Fee Repeal Bill From the online magazine National Parks Traveler, an article about the request by four powerful Senators that the Fee Repeal bill be given a Committee hearing. Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) has so far not scheduled it to be considered. PDF files for this item 2010 05 25 Senators Push Fee Repeal Bill 2010 05 24 Fees Creating Dispute Ft Collins Coloradoan article about the proliferation and inconsistency of public lands access fees. PDF files for this item 2010 05 24 Fees Creating Dispute 2010 05 22 South Colony Fee Raises Hospitality Concerns Colorado Springs Business Gazette re South Colony Fee Proposal on Pike-San Isabel National Forest. PDF files for this item 2010 05 22 South Colony Fee Raises Hospitality Concerns 2010 05 21 Fourteener fee is a bad idea Editorial from the Longmont (CO) Times-Call opposing the fee for access to four Colorado fourteeners. PDF files for this item 2010 05 21 Fourteener fee is a bad idea 2010 05 20 Greeley Tribune Editorial Editorial sort of supporting the fourteener fee in South Colony Basin, while giving lots of reasons to oppose it. PDF files for this item 2010 05 20 Greeley Tribune Editorial 2010 05 20 FS Wants Comments On South Colony Fee Wet Mountain Tribune (Custer County Colorado) report on Forest Service request for public comments about the proposed general access fee for South Colony Basin in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. PDF files for this item 2010 05 20 FS Wants Comments On South Colony Fee 2010 05 17 Grand Junction Fee Increases Grand Junction Colorado is facing fee increases in every direction. PDF files for this item 2010 05 17 Grand Junction Fee Increases 2010 05 16 FS To Require Peak Fees Pike-San Isabel National Forest is planning to charge peak baggers $10-$20 to climb four of Colorados 14,000-foot mountains. PDF files for this item 2010 05 16 FS To Require Peak Fees 2010 05 16 Feds Consider Peaks Fees AP story from Aurora (CO) Sentinel about the Pike-San Isabel National Forest plan to charge fees for hiking four 14,000-foot peaks in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. PDF files for this item 2010 05 16 Feds Consider Peaks Fees 2010 05 13 ABC Denver News re Fourteeners Fee ABC Denver TV news story re plans to charge a fee to climb the four fourteeners at South Colony Basin. PDF files for this item 2010 05 13 ABC Denver News re Fourteeners Fee 2010 05 12 Plumas Concessionaire Raises Fees Campground fees to go up, new boat launch fees going in, all without any public input, to enhance the bottom line of a private concessionaire. The County Commissioners are not happy. PDF files for this item 2010 05 12 Plumas Concessionaire Raises Fees 2010 05 12 Days Of Free Fourteeners Ending Pike-San Isabel National Forest plans to charge $10-$20 per person to go for a walk in the mountains. PDF files for this item 2010 05 12 Days Of Free Fourteeners Ending 2010 05 06 Not Happy Campers The Pike-San Isabel National Forest proposes a general access fee to the South Colony Basin area, starting point for climbing several 14,000-foot mountains. PDF files for this item 2010 05 06 Not Happy Campers 2010 04 29 Four Senators Letter re S.868 April 2010 letter from Senators Max Baucus, Jon Tester, Mike Crapo, and Jim Risch calling on the leadership of the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee to bring S.868 The Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act, to a hearing. PDF files for this item 2010 04 29 Four Senators Letter re S.868 2010 04 24 Risch Joins Fee Repeal Idaho Senator Jim Risch signs on as another co-sponsor of S.868 The Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act. PDF files for this item 2010 04 24 Risch Joins Fee Repeal 2010 04 24 Ochoco Fee Hikes Spark Debate Higher costs, less access result from transfer of federal recreation facilities to private management. PDF files for this item 2010 04 24 Ochoco Fee Hikes Spark Debate 2010 04 23 Ochoco Hiking Fees Ochoco National Forest is going to raise fees so they can attract a concessionaire to run newly refurbished public facilities. PDF files for this item 2010 04 23 Ochoco Hikes Fees 2010 04 19 Campers Dont Like Private Operators Durango (CO) Herald re dissatisfaction with private concessionaires in public recreation facilities. PDF files for this item 2010 04 19 Campers Dont Like Private Operators 2010 04 05 Public Not Keen On Fees Article from summitcountyvoice.com about Forest Service policies at concessionaire sites that charge fees the FS would not be authorized to charge themselves. PDF files for this item 2010 04 05 Public Not Keen On Fees 2010 03 30 Little Sahara Price Going Up Prices climbing for OHV users at Little Sahara in Utah. PDF files for this item 2010 03 30 Little Sahara Price Going Up 2010 03 30 Fee Proliferation on the Stanislaus Fees fees and more fees on the Stanislaus National Forest. PDF files for this item 2010 03 30 Fee Proliferation on the Stanislaus 2010 03 28 Zimo re Seniors and Concessionaires Pete Zimowsky of the Idaho Statesman on Senior discounts and the privatization of Forest Service recreation. PDF files for this item 2010 03 28 Zimo re Seniors and Concessionaires 2010 03 28 Little Sahara Fee Increase Hits Criticism Many Little Sahara OHV area users are not too pleased with the fee increase that went into effect Easter weekend 2010. PDF files for this item 2010 03 28 Little Sahara Fee Increase Hits Criticism 2010 03 20 Is Washington Listening? RV News article about the FS decision to leave Senior/Disabled camping discounts in place. PDF files for this item 2010 03 20 Is Washington Listening? 2010 03 19 Seniors Keep Discount Salt Lake City Tribune article about the decision by the Forest Service to let seniors and the disabled keep their 50% camping discount. A discordant note from the Vice President of Utah-based American Land and Leisure, one of the largest Forest Service concessionaires, whose profits stood to gain if the discount had been reduced to 10%. PDF files for this item 2010 03 19 Seniors Keep Discount 2010 03 19 Ranger Obamas Pay to Hike System Utne Reader article about the continuation of the Clinton-Bush fee based recreation policies by the Obama administration. PDF files for this item 2010 03 19 Ranger Obamas Pay to Hike System 2010 03 18 Not The Change We Expected Bill Schneider of NewWest.net puts the Mt Lemmon decision into context. PDF files for this item 2010 03 18 Not The Change We Expected 2010 03 18 AARP Online Bulletin Followup article from the AARP online bulletin about the Forest Service backing down on their proposal to reduce Senior/Disabled discounts at concessionaire-managed campgrounds. PDF files for this item 2010 03 18 AARP Online Bulletin 2010 03 04 Wyoming Trailhead Fee Draws Fire Billings Gazette article about the Bighorn National Forest plan to charge a fee at West Tensleep Trailhead. PDF files for this item 2010 03 04 Wyoming Trailhead Fee Draws Fire 2010 03 03 Fees Lead To Privatization Bill Schneider makes the case on NewWest.net that anyone who opposes privatization of public lands needs to oppose general access fees because that is what they lead to. PDF files for this item 2010 03 03 Fees Lead To Privatization 2010 03 02 West Tensleep Fee Free For Now Sheridan Wyoming article implies that the Bighorn National Forest may have seen the light and is looking for fairer and less controversial ways to protect the Cloud Peak Wilderness than charging for access to it. PDF files for this item 2010 03 02 West Tensleep Fee Free For Now 2010 02 19 Wyden Wants Senior and Disabled Discounts Continued Oregon Senator Ron Wyden calls on the Forest Service to drop their plan to eliminate the camping discounts that were promised to seniors and the disabled when they got their lifetime passes. PDF files for this item 2010 02 19 Wyden Wants Senior and Disabled Discounts Continued 2010 02 18 Seniors and Idaho Delegation Blast Plan to End Discounts Twin Falls (ID) Times-News article about the Forest Service plan to slash camping discounts for Seniors and the disabled. PDF files for this item 2010 02 18 Seniors and Idaho Blast Plan to End Discounts 2010 02 18 Red Rock Fee Increase Approved The Nevada Recreation Resource Advisory Committee rubber stamps its approval of the fee increase at Red Rock National Conservation Area. PDF files for this item 2010 02 18 Red Rock Fee Increase Approved 2010 02 17 Idaho Delegation Fights For Seniors Rexburg Idaho newspaper article about the Idaho congressionals asking the Forest Service not to eliminate the 50% Senior and Disabled camping discounts at National Forest campgrounds. PDF files for this item 2010 02 17 Idaho Delegation Fights For Seniors 2010 02 13 Red Rock Fee Hike Coming Las Vegas Review-Journal article about the upcoming BLM advisory committee meeting to consider new and increased fees at Red Rock Canyon. PDF files for this item 2010 02 13 Red Rock Fee Hike Coming 2010 02 13 Idaho to FS: Whoa Partner Not So Fast Article from NewWest.net online magazine about the Idaho delegation letter to Forest Service Chief Tidwell calling for him to forget about slashing discounts for Senior and Disabled passholders. PDF files for this item 2010 02 13 Idaho to FS: Whoa Partner Not So Fast 2010 02 12 IDAHO DELEGATION WEIGHS IN The entire Idaho Congressional Delegation - Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick - have joined in a letter urging Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell to drop the misguided idea of reducing discounts for Senior and Disabled lifetime passholders at concessionaire-managed campgrounds! If you live in Idaho, PLEASE send these four elected officials a note of thanks through their websites. You can find them at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov. If you live outside of Idaho, contact YOUR congressional delegation and ask them to join Idaho! PDF files for this item 2010 02 12 BREAKING NEWS! IDAHO DELEGATION WEIGHS IN 2010 02 11 Red Rock Fee Increase Up For Discussion Las Vegas Sun article about upcoming BLM advisory committee meeting to consider proposed new and increased fees at Red Rock Canyon. PDF files for this item 2010 02 11 Red Rock Fee Increase Up For Discussion 2010 02 10 FS Plan To Cut Senior Discounts Under Fire Article from the Summit County (CO) Voice about the Forest Service plan to slash camping discounts for senior and disabled lifetime passholders. PDF files for this item 2010 02 10 FS Plan To Cut Senior Discounts Under Fire 2010 02 09 BLM Rules Keep Public Out At Red Rocks Las Vegas Journal Review editorial taking the BLM to task for keeping the public off of public lands with new rules and fees for group hikers. PDF files for this item 2010 02 09 BLM Rules Keep Public Out At Red Rocks 2010 02 04 New Fee At Red Rocks BLM will hit hikers with a $95 special permit fee and require 6 months advance notice if they go in groups of 13 or more. PDF files for this item 2010 02 04 New Fee At Red Rocks 2010 01 29 Deadline Nears On Senior Discount Chop Article from The Missoulian about the Forest Service plan to chop Senior/Disabled camping discounts. PDF files for this item 2010 01 29 Deadline Nears On Senior Discount Chop 2010 01 25 AARP re Concessionaires and Passes Article from the AARP online bulletin about the Forest Service plan to dramatically raise camping rates for Seniors and the disabled. PDF files for this item 2010 01 25 AARP re Concessionaires and Passes 2010 01 23 So Much For That Lifetime Agreement Story from Florida about the Forest Service reneging on its promises to Seniors and the disabled. PDF files for this item 2010 01 23 So Much For That Lifetime Agreement 2010 01 20 Trailhead Parking Should Be Free Letter to the editor of the Buffalo (WY) Bulletin about the Big Horn National Forest plan to charge $10 a day to park at a wilderness trailhead. PDF files for this item 2010 01 20 Trailhead Parking Should Be Free 2010 01 06 A Rock And A Hard Place Letter to the editor of the Methow Valley (WA) News in response to their interview with the new District Ranger for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This letter was penned by Kristi Laguzza-Boosman who had a recent success fighting a ticket for failure to pay a fee at a wilderness trailhead. PDF files for this item 2010 01 06 A Rock And A Hard Place 2010 01 03 Dont Squeeze The Geezers In The Outdoors WSNFC President Kitty Benzar column for the Writers On The Range syndicate on the Forest Service attempt to squeeze seniors and the disabled out of the benefits they were promised for their Golden passports. PDF files for this item 2010 01 03 Dont Squeeze The Geezers In The Outdoors 2009 12 31 FS Will Eliminate Discounts About.com blog article about the elimination of discounts for seniors and the disabled at Forest Service campgrounds managed by private concessionaires. PDF files for this item 2009 12 31 FS Will Eliminate Discounts 2009 12 25 Remove,Reword,Repost Bighorn NF repackages their proposed parking fee for West Tensleep Trailhead. It still walks like a parking fee and quacks like a parking fee. It is a parking fee. PDF files for this item 2009 12 25 Remove,Reword,Repost 2009 12 30 Parking Fees Are Not Like Camping Fees 2009 11 03 West Tensleep Fee Questioned 2009 12 24 Making Bank at Mt Lemmon Coronado National Forest continues its efforts to keep from having the legality of the Mt Lemmon fee tested in court. PDF files for this item 2009 12 24 Making Bank at Mt Lemmon 2009 12 20 Fee Proposed For Buffalo Pass Routt National Forest wants to charge a fee for winter recreation on Buffalo Pass. PDF files for this item 2009 12 20 Fee Proposed For Buffalo Pass 2009 12 15 FS Considers Sr/Disabled Fee Increases The Coloradoan (Ft Collins) reports on proposed fee increases on Senior and Disabled citizens at Forest Service campgrounds. PDF files for this item 2009 12 15 FS Considers Sr/Disabled Fee Increases 2009 12 14 Little Sahara Gets Hefty Increase Little Sahara off-highway vehicle area is facing fee increases of over 300%. They are disguised under the trick of eliminating the one-day pass and making the minimum purchase a two-day pass, and even then the increase is substantial. PDF files for this item 2009 12 14 Little Sahara Gets Hefty Increase 2009 12 21 Stop Little Sahara Fee Increase 2009 12 12 Routt NF Proposes Fee On Buffalo Pass Routt National Forest has pitted motorized vs non-motorized visitors against each other with their proposal to charge a $5 fee for winter access to Buffalo Pass. PDF files for this item 2009 12 12 Routt NF Proposes Fee On Buffalo Pass 2009 12 10 FS Wants To Reduce Discounts Warren (PA) Times Observer article about the Forest Service plan to eliminate 50% discounts for senior and disabled passholders. PDF files for this item 2009 12 10 FS Wants To Reduce Discounts 2009 12 08 USFS To Eliminate Discounts Kern Valley (CA) Sun article about the Forest Service plan to eliminate senior and disabled camping discounts. PDF files for this item 2009 12 08 USFS To Eliminate Discounts 2009 12 08 Seniors May Pay More Bend Oregon Bulletin on the proposal by the Forest Service to end the 50% Senior and Disabled discount on National Forest Campgrounds managed by private concessioners. PDF files for this item 2009 12 08 Seniors May Pay More 2009 12 08 Proposal Would Cut Discount Billings Gazette/AP article about the Forest Service proposal to cut senior and disabled discounts for camping from 50% to 10%. Their lifetime passes would also no longer cover day use sites in full but would only get a 10% discount for those as well. PDF files for this item 2009 12 08 Proposal Would Cut Discount 2009 12 08 FS Wants To Eliminate Discounts Article from Motorhome Magazine about the Forest Service plan to eliminate senior and disabled camping discounts. A spokesperson for the Forest Service says they do not want to undercut private campgrounds. But that is exactly what they should be doing, since the Forest Service is subsidized with our federal taxes. They should be offering a more basic facility, sure, but at a modest rate that anyone can afford, and they should honor the discounts Congress extended to seniors and the disabled for social reasons, not economic ones. PDF files for this item 2009 12 08 FS Wants To Eliminate Discounts 2009 12 05 Campground Discount Plan Stirs Debate The Durango (CO) Herald on the Forest Service plan to eliminate the 50% senior/disabled discount at most campgrounds. PDF files for this item 2009 12 05 Campground Discount Plan Stirs Debate 2009 12 03 Forest Service Wants To End Camping Discounts Senior and disabled campers will lose their 50% discount on camping at most Forest Service campgrounds if this agency proposal succeeds. PDF files for this item 2009 12 03 Forest Service Wants To End Camping Discounts 2009 12 01 Umpqua Fees to Increase Roseburg(OR)News-Review on the proposed across-the-board new and increased fees on the Umpqua National Forest. PDF files for this item 2009 12 01 Umpqua Fees to Increase 2009 11 24 Umpqua Proposes Raising Fees Umpqua National Forest in Oregon proposes raising fees at 38 sites and adding six new fee sites. Nothing in here about the fact that under the law they must obtain general public support first, or about how the public can comment about their plan. PDF files for this item 2009 11 24 Umpqua Proposes Raising Fees 2009 11 22 Bighorn NF Resorts to Trailhead Fees NewWest.net article about the plan to implement a parking fee at the West Tensleep Trailhead on the Bighorn National Forest. PDF files for this item 2009 11 22 Bighorn NF Resorts to Trailhead Fees 2009 11 12 Bighorn NF Proposes Parking Fee Bighorn National Forest proposes a $10 per day fee for parking at the West Tensleep trailhead in Wyoming, despite the prohibition on parking fees in the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. PDF files for this item 2009 11 12 Bighorn NF Proposes Parking Fee 2009 11 11 New Parking Fee On Bighorn NF The Bighorn National Forest plans to charge for parking at a popular trailhead, while at the same time admitting that they cannot legally charge for parking. PDF files for this item 2009 11 11 New Parking Fee On Bighorn NF 2009 11 06 Dunes Visits Down Visits to the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area are down again, which hurts the Yuma economy. With high fees and heavy-handed law enforcement, what does the BLM expect? PDF files for this item 2009 11 06 Dunes Visits Down 2009 11 05 Deschutes Visits Down Latest Forest Service surveys show visits to the Deschutes and other Pacific NW National Forests are down - way down. Forest Service officials claim the results are not reliable, then proceed to make excuses for the declines. Could it be because you have to pay five bucks just to park your car and go for a walk in the woods? PDF files for this item 2009 11 05 Deschutes Visits Down 2009 10 28 Judge Dismisses Trail Fee Case A federal judge in Washington dismisses the charges against a Twisp resident for failure to pay a fee at an undeveloped backcountry trailhead. PDF files for this item 2009 10 28 Judge Dismisses Trail Fee Case 2009 10 16 Kinzua Closed or Renovated Which Is It Last year the recreation facilities at Kinzua Reservoir on the Allegheny National Forest were beyond repair. This year they are being completely renovated. Watch for a fee next year. PDF files for this item 2009 10 16 Kinzua Closed or Renovated Which Is It 2009 10 14 Trail Fees Are Hurdles to Many Guest editorial in the Methow Valley (WA) News by Kristi Laguzza-Boosman, accused criminal, who goes on trial in Spokane October 26, 2009 for the federal misdemeanor of hiking in the woods without a $5 pass. PDF files for this item 2009 10 14 Trail Fees Are Hurdles to Many 2009 09 30 Local Fights Forest Fee Ticket A Washington resident is disputing whether the Forest Service has authority to charge a fee at a trailhead where she received a ticket. The trailhead provides access to undeveloped backcountry, which the law says must be free, as well as lacking the six amenities required by the law for day use fee areas. PDF files for this item 2009 09 30 Local Fights Forest Fee Ticket 2009 08 17 Red Rock Floats Fee Increase Las Vegas Sun article about proposed fee increase at Red Rock National Conservation Area. PDF files for this item 2009 08 17 Red Rock Floats Fee Increase 2009 08 14 Red Rock Wants Fee Increase Red Rock National Conservation Area just outside Las Vegas wants across the board fee increases, including charging bicycles and pedestrians for the first time. Full proposal can be downloaded at www.blm.gov/nv PDF files for this item 2009 08 14 Red Rock Wants Fee Increase 2009 08 07 Fee Increase For Green Mountain Reservoir Still In The Works White River National Forest officials still hoping for an increase at Green Mountain Reservoir. You gotta admire their perseverence. PDF files for this item 2009 08 07 Fee Increase For Green Mountain Reservoir Still In The Works 2009 08 04 Green Mountain Reservoir Starts Over With an infusion of stimulus cash, the White River National Forest is starting over on a new master plan for Green Mountain Reservoir, where they have repeatedly been stopped from raising their fee. PDF files for this item 2009 08 04 Green Mountain Reservoir Starts Over 2009 07 29 FS Stops Painting Trucks Green Government bureaucracies, including the Forest Service, find millions in savings through simple measures like using two sided copying and not painting Forest Service trucks green. PDF files for this item 2009 07 29 FS Stops Painting Trucks Green 2009 07 29 Forests Receive Fewer Visitors The Oregonian reports on the drop in visitation to National Forests. PDF files for this item 2009 07 29 Forests Receive Fewer Visitors 2009 07 26 Fee Free Weekends Boost Park Visits Secretary Salazars fee-free weekends show clearly that fees are a deterrent to National Park visitation. This article asks is that a good thing or a bad thing? PDF files for this item 2009 07 26 Fee Free Weekends Boost Park Visits 2009 07 10 Fee Needs Fixing Editorial from Baker City (OR) Herald about the day use fee for local lakes located on National Forest land but managed by a private concessionaire. PDF files for this item 2009 07 10 Fee Needs Fixing 2009 06 24 KIKO Radio re S.868 Radio interview and discussion about the Fee Repeal Bill S.868 PDF files for this item 2009 06 24 KIKO Radio re S.868 2009 06 22 Kimbell Farewell Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell sends farewell email to FS employees. Her replacement is Tom Tidwell, produced by the same bureaucratic pipeline that gave us Kimbell. Meet the new Chief, same as the old Chief. PDF files for this item 2009 06 22 Kimbell Farewell 2009 06 22 BLM Oregon Wants Fee Increase At Alsea Falls BLM office in Salem Oregon wants to increase fees at Alsea Falls PDF files for this item 2009 06 22 BLM Oregon Wants Fee Increase At Alsea Falls 2009 06 18 Tidwell Named FS Chief Tom Tidwell abruptly named to replace Abigail Kimbell as Forest Service Chief. Tidwell is a longtime supporter of access and user fees. No changes expected here. PDF files for this item 2009 06 18 Tidwell Named FS Chief 2009 06 11 NPS Fee Free Weekends Spark Debate Do fees deter visitation? Fee free weekends in the National Parks at the height of summer should tell the tale. PDF files for this item 2009 06 11 NPS Fee Free Weekends Spark Debate 2009 06 09 Wilkes Withdrew For Financial Reasons Obama second choice for Undersecretary of Agriculture in charge of the Forest Service, Homer Lee Wilkes, says he withdrew his name after it was announced due to financial and family reasons. PDF files for this item 2009 06 09 Wilkes Withdrew For Financial Reasons 2009 06 05 BLM Adjusts a Fee Change (Or Did They Change a Fee Adjustment?) BLM in Kremmling Colorado originally announced fee changes at two Upper Colorado River recreation sites. Upon being questioned how they could make changes without approval of the Recreation Resource Advisory Committee as required by law, the fee changes suddenly became fee adjustments. A citizens Change is a bureaucrats Adjustment. If you can tell the difference you have a great career in public land management awaiting you. PDF files for this item 2009 05 29 First its a fee Change 2009 06 05 Then its a fee Adjustment 2009 06 03 Salazar, Permanently Waive Fees Bill Schneider at NewWest.net calls on Interior Secretary Salazar to permanently waive entrance fees at National Parks. PDF files for this item 2009 06 03 Salazar, Permanently Waive Fees 2009 06 02 NPS Waives Entrance Fees Interior Secretary Salazar waives National Park entrance fees for three weekends in the summer of 2009. This marks a watershed event: official recognition that fees deter visitation. Prior administrations insisted that if you could afford to travel to a Park you were rich enough that the entrance fee meant nothing to you. Low-income need not apply. Now that a whole lot of people are a whole lot lower income than they used to be, it is clear that what we have been saying all along is true: the value of public lands to local economies vastly exceeds the value of fees to the government, and even a small fee has a deterrent effect on some potential visitors. Thanks, Secretary Salazar! PDF files for this item 2009 06 02 NPS Waives Entrance Fees CNN 2009 06 02 NPS Waives Entrance Fees SLC Trib 2009 06 03 NPS Waives Entrance Fees Wash Post 2009 06 02 NPS Waives Entrance Fees NYTimes 2009 06 03 NPS Waives Entrance Fees LATimes 2009 06 03 NPS Waives Entrance Fees BalSun 2009 06 03 NPS Waives Entrance Fees DallasNews 2009 06 03 NPS Waives Entrance Fees AJC 2009 06 03 NPS Waives Entrance Fees DenPost 2009 06 02 Baucus Applauds Waivers 2009 05 26 This Land Is Your Land For A Fee Lois Henry of the Bakersfield Californian continues her pursuit of truth from the Sequoia National Forest, still no luck with that. PDF files for this item 2009 05 26 This Land Is Your Land For A Fee 2009 05 26 Bills Aim To Curb Fees Lois Henry of the Bakersfield Californian on the status of congressional action to eliminate the Recreational Access Tax (RAT). PDF files for this item 2009 05 26 Bills Aim To Curb Fees 2009 05 14 Vilsack, Ease Off Bill Schneider calls on the new Secretary of Agriculture to ease off from their aggressive opposition to allowing litigation challenging the implementation of FLREA at Mt Evans to proceed. PDF files for this item 2009 05 14 Vilsack, Ease Off 2009 05 11 No Increase At Dunes Yet Yuma Sun re BLM decision to delay fee increase at Imperial Sand Dunes PDF files for this item 2009 05 11 No Increase At Dunes Yet 2009 05 11 Dunes Fee Increase Pulled BLM withdraws their plan to increase the fee on OHV enthusiasts at Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area without any public participation. A bad idea, badly implemented. Pulling it was the right thing to do. PDF files for this item 2009 05 11 Dunes Fee Increase Pulled 2009 05 07 Max Attacks RAT Commentary from George Ochenski of the Missoula Independent supporting Max Baucus in repealing the Recreation Access Tax PDF files for this item 2009 05 07 Max Attacks RAT 2009 05 05 Sequoia Fee Update Lois Henry of the Bakersfield Californian uses part of an odds and ends column for an update on the fee situation on the Sequoia National Forest. PDF files for this item 2009 05 05 Sequoia Fee Update 2009 05 05 Baucus Pushes Fee Repeal The Missoulian re Senator Max Baucus push to repeal rec fees and restore access. PDF files for this item 2009 05 05 Baucus Pushes Fee Repeal 2009 05 05 Baucus Proposes Fee Rollback Front page story from Kern Valley Sun re Baucus introduction of Fee Repeal Bill PDF files for this item 2009 05 05 Baucus Proposes Fee Rollback 2009 04 30 Fee Repeal Bill Is Back From insider newsletter Energy and Environment Daily, a report that the Fee Repeal Bill (S.868) may have a better chance of passage than in the previous congress. PDF files for this item 2009 04 30 Fee Repeal Bill Is Back 2009 04 29 Skull Hollow Case Study In Rec Fees The Source Weekly (Bend Oregon) explores the dynamics behind how a primitive rock climbers campground became a case study in recreation fees. PDF files for this item 2009 04 29 Skull Hollow Case Study In Rec Fees 2009 04 27 Repeal Bill Reintroduced Flathead (MT) Beacon on Senator Baucus reintroduction of the Fee Repeal Bill PDF files for this item 2009 04 27 Repeal Bill Reintroduced 2009 04 22 Baucus and Crapo Re-Introduce Fee Repeal Senators Max Baucus of Montana and Mike Crapo of Idaho re-introduce their bill to repeal the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, or Recreation Access Tax (RAT) for short. PDF files for this item 2009 04 22 Baucus and Crapo Re-Introduce Fee Repeal 2009 03 27 FS Gestapo Riles Crowd In California Opinion column from the Bakersfield Californian about yet another angry crowd at a Sequoia National Forest meeting in California. PDF files for this item 2009 03 27 FS Gestapo Riles Crowd In California 2009 03 24 FS Meeting Stirs Up Community Sequoia National Forest just does not seem to be winning the hearts and minds of the residents of the Kern River Valley. PDF files for this item 2009 03 24 FS Meeting Stirs Up Community 2009 03 07 Cant See The Forest For The Fees Bakersfield Californian columnist Lois Henry nails the heart of the story in this op-ed piece on the ongoing saga of the Sequoia National Forest fee program boondoggle. PDF files for this item 2009 03 07 Cant See The Forest For The Fees 2009 03 04 Free Sites Becoming More Popular As the economy tanks, more folks choose destinations with free admission. PDF files for this item 2009 03 04 Free Sites Becoming More Popular 2009 02 28 New Hampshire Fees Going Up White Mountain National Forest announces planned increase in the price of a walk in the woods. PDF files for this item 2009 02 28 New Hampshire Fees Going Up 2009 02 28 Cost Of Walking In The Woods Is Going Up New Hampshire White Mountain National Forest is raising the price of a walk in the woods. PDF files for this item 2009 02 28 Cost of Walk in the Woods Going Up 2009 02 27 How Do We Manage To Manage Public Lands? Editorial from the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel about the disfunctional Recreation Resource Advisory Committees established in the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Includes online comment that was submitted but never posted by the newspaper. Also letter to the editor in response to the column. PDF files for this item 2009 02 27 How Do We Manage To Manage Public Lands? 2009 03 03 Letter to Editor Grand Jct Sentinel 2009 02 22 Walton Lake To Close Article from the Bend Bulletin about plans to close the Walton Lake facilities on the Ochoco National Forest and spend $612,000, or about four times the amount of money they claim to have for all developed recreation facilities on the entire forest, on remodeling the area. Then it goes back to being managed by Thousand Trails Inc, and the public can not get anywhere near it without paying them the price of admission. PDF files for this item 2009 02 22 Walton Lake To Close 2009 02 12 Kids Need Nature Article from NewWest.net about a conference trying to get kids outdoors. Perhaps it would help if it did not cost $5 to take a hike. PDF files for this item 2009 02 12 Kids Need Nature 2009 02 09 Idaho Acts Logically News flash from Idaho via NewWest.net: Fees affect behavior. A fact that the Forest Service and BLM cannot seem to get, as they bemoan declining visitation while raising recreation fees. DUH. PDF files for this item 2009 02 09 Idaho Acts Logically 2009 02 04 HIRA Fees Debated In Kernville Sequoia National Forest officials still cannot make their numbers add up. PDF files for this item 2009 02 04 HIRA Fees Debated In Kernville 2009 02 02 Iowa Drops Fee Increase Citing tough economic times, Iowa wisely decides not to raise fishing and hunting fees. Now if only the Forest Service and BLM would do the same. PDF files for this item 2009 02 02 Iowa Drops Fee Increase 2009 01 27 Idaho Fee Meetings Cause Confusion Confusion in Idaho about advisory committee meetings about fee increases on the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests. PDF files for this item 2009 01 27 Idaho Fee Meetings Cause Confusion 2009 01 23 More Details On Idaho Fees Forest Service releases more details on fee increase plans in Idaho. PDF files for this item 2009 01 23 More Details On Idaho Fees 2009 01 23 FS Backs Down In Montana After the press and Senator Baucus started making inquiries, Forest Service Region 1 decided not to push for new fee sites after all. PDF files for this item 2009 01 23 FS Backs Down In Montana 2009 01 22 New Fees In Idaho Boise and Sawtooth National Forests planning new and increased fees. PDF files for this item 2009 01 22 New Fees In Idaho 2009 01 15 OHV Users Pick Up Trash Costs For BLM Shortly after receiving approval for a fee increase at Imperial Sand Dunes in California, the BLM announced they were discontinuing trash service there. Sensing impending disaster, the county stepped in and secured funding from the OHV Green Sticker fund. PDF files for this item 2009 01 15 OHV Users Pick Up Trash Costs For BLM 2009 01 12 Forest Service Skips A Chance To Do Things Right The Forest Service is rushing through new policy directives before the administration change, without including the public. PDF files for this item 2009 01 12 Forest Service Skips A Chance To Do Things Right 2009 01 02 Nebraskans Have A Better Idea Locals come up with a better management plan that will keep sites open on the Nebraska National Forest. PDF files for this item 2009 01 02 Nebraskans Have A Better Idea 2009 01 01 Prescott NF Raises Fees Across the board fee increase goes into effect on the Prescott National Forest. The Forest told the Arizona Recreation Resource Advisory Committee this plan had general public support, and they approved it. The commenters on this article would say differently. PDF files for this item 2009 01 01 Prescott NF Raises Fees 2008 12 31 National Park Entry Expensive Letter to the Editor about the high costs of visiting a National Park. PDF files for this item 2008 12 31 National Park Entry Expensive 2008 12 29 Forest Service Morale Hits New Low Forest Service employee morale is at an all time low. PDF files for this item 2008 12 29 Forest Service Morale Hits New Low 2008 12 24 Prescott NF Raises Fees Across The Board Prescott National Forest implements across the board fee increases. They were approved at a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee meeting in September 2008 that was never announced to the public. Despite increased appropriated funding, they are trying to run their entire recreation program on fee revenue. PDF files for this item 2008 12 24 Prescott NF Raises Fees Across The Board 2008 12 22 FS Keeps Christmas Tree Cash Forest Service is transferring Christmas tree permit revenue from the Timber program, which would be shared with counties, to the Recreation program, where they get to keep it all. PDF files for this item 2008 12 22 FS Keeps Christmas Tree Cash 2008 12 16 Salazar Pick Gets Mixed Reception Obamas pick of Colorado Senator Ken Salazar for Interior Secretary gets a mixed reception from environmental groups, who had hoped for Arizonas Raul Grijalva. But as a sponsor of the Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act, Salazar can be expected to bring his anti-fee stance to BLM and NPS, which will be a step forward for the anti-fee movement. PDF files for this item 2008 12 16 Salazar Pick Gets Mixed Reception 2008 12 16 NF Visits Down Inyo Up LA Times article saying that the Inyo National Forest is the exception to declining visitation across the National Forest system. Too bad this cannot be confirmed because the latest survey report for the Inyo has not been made public. PDF files for this item 2008 12 16 NF Visits Down Inyo Up 2008 12 16 Canadians Hate Fees Too Fee increases are not well received in Saskatchewan, where they have been dubbed the Unhappy Camper Tax. PDF files for this item 2008 12 16 Canadians Hate Fees Too 2008 12 15 Visitation Declines Disputed The National Forests in the Sierras do not like the numbers they are seeing for visitation, even though they come from the Forest Services own survey. PDF files for this item 2008 12 15 Visitation Declines Disputed 2008 12 10 Umpqua NF Visits Down By A Third Roseburg Oregon News Review article on visitation drop at the Umpqua National Forest PDF files for this item 2008 12 10 Umpqua NF Visits Down By A Third 2008 11 29 National Forest Vists Down This AP story about declining visitation to National Forests ran in hundreds of papers nationwide. PDF files for this item 2008 11 29 National Forest Vists Down 2008 11 27 Fees Linked To Drop In Visitation Visitation decline on National Forests linked to spread of fees. PDF files for this item 2008 11 27 Fees Linked To Drop In Visitation 2008 11 13 Red Rock Canyon Fee Opposed Article from the Las Vegas Review Journal about the proposed increase in the entrance fee at Red Rock Canyon. There was also a talk show at Nevada Public Radio on November 12, 2008 on this topic. Archive audio is available at http://www.knpr.org/son/archive/detail.cfm?programid=1462 PDF files for this item 2008 11 13 Red Rock Canyon Fee Increase Opposed 2008 10 28 Forest Service Needs Saving From Itself Payson (AZ) Roundup observes that most of the problems on the Tonto National Forest were created by the Forest Service. PDF files for this item 2008 10 28 Forest Service Needs Saving From Itself 2008 10 24 Michigan Forests Face Higher Fees Reduced Services The Huron-Manistee National Forest is raising fees while reducing services. PDF files for this item 2008 10 24 Michigan Forests Face Higher Fees Reduced Services 2008 10 21 Arizona Has A New Tax Arizona gets on the fee bandwagon by charging to walk on state trust lands. PDF files for this item 2008 10 21 Arizona Has A New Tax 2008 10 17 New Melones Lake Fees A Surprise The Stockton Searchlight Record says folks are surprised at the new fees to launch their boats on New Melones Reservoir. See also http://www.westernslopenofee.org/pdfuploads/New_Melones_Comments_re_Fees.pdf and http://www.westernslopenofee.org/pdfuploads/2008_09_04_Fee_Increase_at_New_Melones_Lake.pdf PDF files for this item 2008 10 17 New Melones Lake Fees A Surprise 2008 10 17 BLM Arizona Campground Fee Increase Kingman office of BLM in Arizona want to increase campground fees, accepting comment until April 2009. PDF files for this item 2009 10 17 BLM Arizona Campground Fee Increase 2008 10 15 Black Hills Wants OHV Fee Black Hills National Forest wants to hear public comment about a proposed new trail fee for OHVs. Trouble is, this article appeared the same day as the public meeting. On a Wednesday. Bet they got a GREAT turnout. PDF files for this item 2008 10 15 Black Hills Wants OHV Fee 2008 10 13 Sawtooths Improvements May Wreck Stanley Lake The Sawtooth National Forest is proposing so-called improvements to a primitive campground at Stanley Lake. The locals object, saying it will ruin the area. PDF files for this item 2008 10 13 Sawtooths Improvements May Wreck Stanley Lake 2008 10 09 Editorial Opposing Fee Increase At Red Rock The Las Vegas Review Journal asks editorially what BLM is doing with the money they already collect at Red Rock National Conservation Area, and why the price needs to go up. PDF files for this item 2008 10 09 Editorial Opposing Fee Increase At Red Rock 2008 10 08 Red Rocks Entrance Fee Going Up The BLM is prohibited by the FLREA from charging Entrance Fees. But this one is going up. PDF files for this item 2008 10 08 Red Rocks Entrance Fee Going Up 2008 10 08 Forest Service Backs Down In PA A letter from Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey to Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell succeeds in keeping campgrounds open on the Allegheny National Forest. PDF files for this item 2008 10 08 Forest Service Backs Down In PA 2008 10 04 BLM Stops Trash Service At Fee Area BLM got approval for a fee increase at Imperial Sand Dunes OHV area in January 2008. Some of that revenue is supposed to provide trash service for the area, which is the size of a small city at busy periods. Now BLM has decided to keep the newly increased fee but to stop the trash service and use the funds for something else. More money for less service. You gotta love it. PDF files for this item 2008 10 04 BLM Stops Trash Service At Fee Area 2008 10 02 New Fees For Deschutes New day-use fees are coming on the Deschutes National Forest if the Forest Service has their way. PDF files for this item 2008 10 02 New Fees For Deschutes 2008 10 02 Angeles NF Parking Fees Are Not Keeping The Toilets Clean This blog from the LA Times documents the Angeles National Forest is still charging a parking fee (the law says no fees solely for parking). Their claims that the money is keeping the toilets cleaner appear bogus. PDF files for this item 2008 10 02 Angeles NF Parking Fees Are Not Keeping The Toilets Clean 2008 10 01 Congress Restores FS Funding Congress gives the Forest Service an emergency appropriation to stave off the need for $400 million in cuts and closures that they had announced. Proving once again that it is their own bureaucracy, not Congress, that is responsible for their financial woes. PDF files for this item 2008 10 01 Congress Restores FS Funding 2008 09 30 No One Left To Speak For Me Commentary from the Redding (CA) Searchlight explains why it is important for all recreational users of public lands to work together to protect our access to them. You may be able to afford that $5 user fee, but if you fail to speak up for those who cannot, there will be no one to speak for you when it becomes $10, $15, or $50. PDF files for this item 2008 09 30 No One Left To Speak For Me 2008 09 25 Report Examines Fee Advisory Committees Cortez (CO) Journal on the Western Slope No Fee Coalition report charging the Forest Service and BLM with obstructing public participation in fee decisions. PDF files for this item 2008 09 25 Report Examines Fee Advisory Committees 2008 09 25 Casey Questions Allegheny Closures Pennsylvania Senator Robert Casey questions planned closures on the Allegheny National Forest in a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimball. PDF files for this item 2008 09 25 Casey Questions Allegheny Closures 2008 09 24 WSNFC Charges FS and BLM With Obstructing Public Participation Western Slope No Fee Coalition analysis report charges that the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are obstructing the public from participating in fee decisions. PDF files for this item 2008 09 24 WSNFC Charges FS and BLM With Obstructing Public Participation 2008 09 24 Fees Too Will Pass From the summer 2008 issue of Wilderness Watch by Scott Phillips, retired Forest Service recreation professional. PDF files for this item 2008 09 24 Fees Too Will Pass 2008 09 19 Gettysburg Fee Takes Flak Hanover(PA)Evening Sun reports on angry meeting about entrance fee for Gettysburg Battlefield museum. PDF files for this item 2008 09 19 Gettysburg Fee Takes Flak 2008 09 17 Trail Fees In Tellurides Future Forest Service floating a plan to charge for mountain bike trails on Telluride ski area. PDF files for this item 2008 09 17 Trail Fees In Tellurides Future 2008 09 17 Shawnee Fees Timeline The latest from Sophie Says, the Illinois donkey columnist, on the decision to drop the proposal for day use and trail fees on the Shawnee National Forest. PDF files for this item 2008 09 17 Shawnee Fees Timeline 2008 09 04 New Fees at New Melones In Defiance of Local Opposition Despite overwhelming public opposition, the Bureau of Reclamation plans to implement new and increased fees at New Melones Reservoir on October 1, 2008. PDF files for this item 2008 09 04 New Fees at New Melones In Defiance of Local Opposition New Melones Comments Show Opposition to Fees 2008 08 27 Shawnee Scraps Fee Plans An outpouring of local opposition has succeeded in stopping the Shawnee National Forest from implementing new day use fees PDF files for this item 2008 08 27 Shawnee Scraps Fee Plans 2008 08 25 Columbia Gorge Fee Hike From the Dalles (OR) Local News, the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area plans fee hikes at several popular campgrounds PDF files for this item 2008 08 25 Columbia Gorge Fee Hike 2008 08 22 Protestors Silenced At Kernville Fee Meeting Protestors stage silent vigil at meeting between Kernville area community groups and Sequoia National Forest officials regarding a proposed major expansion of the HIRA at Lake Isabella and two new HIRAs along the Kern River. PDF files for this item 2008 08 22 Protestors Silenced At Kernville Meeting 2008 08 22 Funding Recreation The Right Way Editorial by Senator Mike Crapo about why fees are the wrong way to fund recreation on federal public lands. PDF files for this item 2008 08 22 Funding Recreation The Right Way 2008 08 15 Western Issues Missing From National Campaign Ed Quillen of Writers on the Range wonders why Western issues, including public lands access fees, are not showing up in the presidential campaigns. PDF files for this item 2008 08 15 Western Issues Missing From National Campaign 2008 08 12 CDOT Fixes Mt Evans Road Colorado Department of Transportation is repairing the Mt Evans Road in anticipation of increased use by visitors to the Democratic National Convention. Any of those visitors who want to stop and enjoy the view along the way will have to pay the Arapaho National Forest $10. Get that? Colorado fixes the road, the Forest Service charges a fee to use it. Go figure. PDF files for this item 2008 08 12 CDOT Fixes Mt Evans Road 2008 08 10 No More Free Camping On The Monongahela This is a weird article. It extolls the popularity of free dispersed camping on the Monongahela National Forest, and only at the very end throws in the zinger that the Forest wants to begin charging for the sites. What are the people who enjoy them the way they are supposed to do? PDF files for this item 2008 08 10 No More Free Camping On The Monongahela 2008 07 30 Public Land Managers Should Remember Public Aspen Times Editorial calling on the White River National Forest to include the public in decisions to close facilities and charge new and higher fees. PDF files for this item 2008 07 30 Public Land Managers Should Remember Public 2008 07 30 Allegheny Comment Period is Over Article from the Bradford (PA) Era about the Allegheny National Forest Recreation Facility Analysis. The plan has hit furious local opposition. PDF files for this item 2008 07 30 Allegheny Comment Period is Over 2008 07 29 Video Slams Mt Evans Fee Bill Schneider of NewWest.net about the new 5-star YouTube video slamming the fee at Mt Evans and calling it illegal. PDF files for this item 2008 07 29 Video Slams Mt Evans Fee 2008 07 28 Aspen Times re White River NF Closing Campgrounds White River National Forest has released their RFA 5 Year Plan a year after it was approved. It calls for new fees and campground closures. There has never been a public meeting or a news release regarding this plan, which is in the process of being implemented. PDF files for this item 2008 07 28 Aspen Times re White River NF Closing Campgrounds 2008 07 27 Visitation Down Visitation to public lands is down. This article from The Economist examines why. PDF files for this item 2008 07 28 Visitation Down 2008 07 27 Mt St Helens A Monument To Mismanagement The Oregonian on the sad mismanagement of Mt St Helens. The image of hikers wearing green bracelets to prove they paid their access fee is unforgettable. PDF files for this item 2008 07 27 Mt St Helens A Monument To Mismanagement 2008 07 20 Eleven Campgrounds to Close On The Allegheny People in Erie are not happy with plans to close eleven campgrounds on the Allegheny National Forest PDF files for this item 2008 07 20 Eleven Campgrounds to Close On The Allegheny 2008 07 17 Kern Valley Opposes Fees Opposition to Sequoia National Forest fees continues in the Kern Valley of California. PDF files for this item 2008 07 17 Kern Valley Opposes Fees 2008 07 16 Fees Are Public Lands Shakedown Ted Williams of Writers on the Range about the Recreation Access Tax (RAT. PDF files for this item 2008 07 16 Fees Are Public Lands Shakedown 2008 07 15 KIKO Radio Arizona Transcript of live radio show featuring Kitty Benzar and Myles and Velma Hodson, broadcast July 15, 2008 on KIKO Radio, Miami Arizona PDF files for this item 2008 07 15 KIKO Radio Arizona 2008 07 15 FS Destroys County Roads Uncompahgre National Forest work on Ouray County Colorado roads results in the destruction of several road sections. These roads form the basis for a huge segment of the local economy that relies on jeep tours, jeep and ATV rentals, and folks who bring their own 4wds and ATVs to try the 100 year old mining roads in the area. They are county roads and the county does annual maintenance on them, but the FS decided to fix them anyway without any local consultation. PDF files for this item 2008 07 15 FS Destroys County Roads 2008 07 15 Fee Increases Opposed at Lake Isabella Residents of Lake Isabella and the Kern River Valley gather to oppose new fees proposed by the Sequoia National Forest PDF files for this item 2008 07 15 Fee Increases Opposed at Lake Isabella 2008 07 08 Allegheny NF Destroys Historic Sites From the Bradford (PA) Era, CCC historian Michael Schultz laments plans by the Allegheny National Forest to close, and eventually remove, historic sites built by the CCC. PDF files for this item 2008 07 08 Allegheny NF Destroys Historic Sites 2008 07 05 Fees Threaten Public Access Portales New Mexico News Tribune Managing Editor Karl Terry about the fees that keep ordinary folks from visiting their public lands PDF files for this item 2008 07 05 Fees Threaten Public Access 2008 07 12 Portales Editor Responds to Feedback 2008 07 03 Congress Needs To Walk The Talk Bill Schneider of NewWest.net calls on Congress to get moving to repeal the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. PDF files for this item 2008 07 03 Congress Needs To Walk The Talk 2008 07 02 Allegheny NF Plan Meets Local Opposition The Allegheny National Forest plan to close facilities under the Recreation Facility Analysis policy meets strong local opposition PDF files for this item 2008 07 02 Allegheny NF Plan Meets Local Opposition 2008 07 01 Klamath Proposes Fee Increases Klamath National Forest proposes to increase fees at numerous campgrounds. PDF files for this item 2008 07 01 Klamath Proposes Fee Increases 2008 06 29 No Fee Hike At Green Mountain The relentless drive to raise fees at the Green Mountain and Cataract Lake areas has been foiled for the third time. The area already brings in, without a fee increase, more than their management plan says they need. Here is the article from the Summit Daily and a response from the WSNFC. PDF files for this item 2008 06 29 No Fee Hike At Green Mountain WSNFC Response: Green Mountain Fee Increase Deserves Denial 2008 06 25 A Seat In The House Idaho State Representative George Eskridge wrote a column on his efforts in Washington to get legislation to repeal the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act PDF files for this item 2008 06 25 A Seat In The House 2008 06 20 Federal Parks and Recreation on House Hearing Federal Parks and Recreation is a Washington insider newsletter. Here is their take on the oversight hearing on recreation fee implementation that was held on June 18, 2008 PDF files for this item 2008 06 20 Federal Parks and Recreation on House Hearing 2008 06 19 Utah Opposition to Fees A Utah resident questions the doubling of fees to access American Fork Canyon and Mirror Lake scenic byways. PDF files for this item 2008 06 19 Utah Opposition to Fees 2008 06 19 Bipartisan Fire at Fees House hearing shows bipartisan concerns about fee implementation on public lands PDF files for this item 2008 06 19 Bipartisan Fire At Fees 2008 06 18 DeFazio Wants Accountability Oregon US Congressman Peter DeFazio wants the Forest Service to account for its fee revenue or he says he will try again to terminate the program. PDF files for this item 2008 06 18 DeFazio Wants Accountability 2008 06 13 Mob Scene at Forest Service Meeting Two proposed new HIRAs on the Sequoia National Forest are not well received in the Kern River Valley PDF files for this item 2008 06 13 Mob Scene at Forest Service Meeting 2008 06 11 Forest Service Plan Angers Kern Valley Kern Valley residents are angry about a Sequoia National Forest plan to make their whole valley a High Impact Recreation Area (HIRA). PDF files for this item 2008 06 11 Forest Service Plan Angers Kern Valley 2008 06 11 Fee Fiasco The Colorado Springs Gazette on the Mt Evans fee and lawsuit PDF files for this item 2008 06 11 Fee Fiasco 2008 06 10 Ochoco Plans Higher Fees, Less Maintenance The Bend Bulletin on the Ochoco National Forest plan to reduce services while raising fees. PDF files for this item 2008 06 10 Ochoco Plans Higher Fees, Less Maintenance 2008 06 06 Congress Looks At RAT Bill Schneider at New West announces that the US House will take a look at implementation of fees by the federal land management agencies. PDF files for this item 2008 06 06 Congress Looks At RAT 2008 06 05 New Fees For Kern River Valley Kern Valley Sun article on opposition to the Sequoia National Forest proposal for new High Impact Recreation Areas (HIRAs) that will require a $10 fee. These proposed HIRAs would control access to Lake Isabella, Loyd Meadow Road and the Kern River. PDF files for this item 2008 06 05 New Fees For Kern River Valley 2008 06 03 Chadron Nebraska Objects To Campground Changes Residents of Chadron Nebraska turned out in force to oppose the Nebraska National Forest plan to close favorite campgrounds in the area. PDF files for this item 2008 06 03 Chadron Nebraska Objects To Campground Changes 2008 06 02 Sequim Washington Too Late To Comment This article about the proposed Recreation Facility Analysis changes on the Olympic National Forest appeared in the Sequim Washington Gazette. Too bad the deadline for comment had already passed before the story appeared. PDF files for this item 2008 06 02 Sequim Washington Too Late To Comment 2008 06 01 Fee Demo Losing Its Appeal From Forest Magazine, about the failure of recreation fees to solve National Forest systemic problems, and the continuing decline in public land visitation since Fee Demo was initiated. PDF files for this item 2008 06 01 Fee Demo Losing Its Appeal 2008 06 01 Fee Demo Falls Short A retired District Ranger and former gung-ho Fee Demo supporter traces his path to disillusionment with recreation fees. From Forest Magazine. PDF files for this item 2008 06 01 Fee Demo Falls Short 2008 05 29 Miffed At The Forest Service Harrisburg Illinois Daily Register columnist Brian DeNeal about how the Shawnee National Forest took his comments out of context and misrepresented his opinion. PDF files for this item 2008 05 29 Miffed At The Forest Service 2008 05 26 North Carolina Federal Lands Neglected The Charlotte Observer calls for adequate federal funding for public lands in North Carolina. PDF files for this item 2008 05 26 North Carolina Federal Lands Neglected 2008 05 26 Fee Fight Spills Into Court The Aspen Times on the class action suit filed against the Arapaho National Forest fee for use of the Mt Evans highway. PDF files for this item 2008 05 26 Fee Fight Spills Into Court 2008 05 15 Fee Fight Fattens Another gem from Tim Vanderpool at Tucson Weekly, about the class action suits filed against the Forest Service in Arizona and Colorado. PDF files for this item Fee Fight Fattens 2008 05 07 AZ Daily Star Mt Lemmon Lawsuit AZ Daily Star on the lawsuit against the Mt Lemmon fee on the Coronado National Forest PDF files for this item 2008 05 07 AZ Daily Star Mt Lemmon Lawsuit 2008 05 06 Tucson Citizen re Mt Lemmon Lawsuit Tucson Citizen on lawsuits filed against Forest Service fees at Mt Lemmon and Mt Evans PDF files for this item 2008 05 06 Tucson Citizen re Mt Lemmon Lawsuit 2008 05 06 Legal Challenge to Mt Evans Fees Launched Denver Post on the class action suit charging the Arapaho National Forest with exceeding its legal authority in its fee program at Mt Evans PDF files for this item 2008 05 06 Legal Challenge to Mt Evans Fees Launched 2008 05 05 Schneider at New West On Lawsuits at Mt Evans and Lemmon Wild Bill Schneider at NewWest.net on the class action suits filed in Tucson and Denver against the Forest Service fees at Mt Lemmon and Mt Evans PDF files for this item 2008 05 05 Schneider at New West On Lawsuits at Mt Evans and Lemmon 2008 05 03 Okanogan Wenatchee NF Closing Sites The Wenatcheeworld on plans by the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest to spend $140,000 to close sites and why you should be happy about that PDF files for this item 2008 05 03 Okanogan Wenatchee NF Closing Sites 2008 05 03 Green Mountain Fee Hike Questioned Summit County (CO) Daily on the continuing efforts to raise the fee at Green Mountain Reservoir in the face of public opposition PDF files for this item 2008 05 03 Green Mountain Fee Hike Questioned 2008 05 01 Lincoln Debate Site To Charge Fee A quiet park in Jonesboro Illinois that was the site of one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates will begin charging a fee if the Shoshone National Forest gets their way. Local opposition is building. PDF files for this item 2008 05 01 Lincoln Debate Site To Charge Fee 2008 05 01 Chugach Slows Fee Changes The Turnagain Times, Girdwood Alaska, on the Chugach National Forest slowing down their plan to raise fees at the Begich Boggs visitor center PDF files for this item 2008_05_01_Chugach_Slows_Fee_Changes 2008 04 23 Dont Forget Your Wallet on the Boise NF The Boise Weekly on a new round of fee increases about to hit the Boise National Forest. PDF files for this item 2008 04 23 Dont Forget Your Wallet on the Boise NF 2008 04 13 Commercialization of Public Lands Must Stop Idaho Statesman on treating public lands as a commercial product. PDF files for this item 2008 04 13 Commercialization of Public Lands Must Stop 2008 04 12 Green Mountain Fee Hike Delayed Summit County (CO)Daily re the Green Mountain Reservoir fee increase being delayed due to continuing public opposition. PDF files for this item 2008 04 12 Green Mountain Fee Hike Delayed 2008 04 06 Shasta Trinity River Fee Editorial from Redding (CA)Record-Searchlight against proposed river fee on Shasta-Trinity NF. PDF files for this item 2008_04_06_Shasta_Trinity_River_Fee 2008 04 04 Fees Grow Like Trees San Luis Obispo Tribune on the proliferation of fees on the Sequoia National Forest. PDF files for this item 2008 04 04 Fees Grow Like Trees 2008 04 02 Tent Matches Wallet Colorado Springs Gazette on fees for fourteeners on the Pike San Isabel and other National Forests PDF files for this item Tent, matches, compass - wallet? 2008 03 22 Campground Fees Rise In California Sacramento Bee on the meteoric rise in campground fees in California, approved by the state Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, a little-known citizen group hand picked by the Forest Service. PDF files for this item 2008 03 22 Campground Fees Rise In California 2008 03 07 New York Times Front Page The author was told by FS officials that firefighting costs are causing reductions in recreation budgets. That is not the case. Budgets for recreation and firefighting are completely separate, and appropriated recreation budgets have increased. Where less funding is getting to the ground it is the result of agency overhead, not diminished congressional appropriations. Otherwise a good article, and front page placement in the New York Times. PDF files for this item 2008 03 07 New York Times Front Page 2008 02 18 Illinois Fights Shawnee Fees Southern Illinois is up in arms about proposed fees on the Shawnee National Forest PDF files for this item 2008 02 18 Illinois Fights Shawnee Fees 2008 02 13 BLM re Yaquina Head Entrance Fee BLM press release openly calling the fee at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in Oregon an Entrance Fee. The law prohibits BLM from charging Entrance fees. PDF files for this item 2008 02 13 BLM re Yaquina Head Entrance Fee 2008 02 06 Allegheny NF No More Meetings A meeting to obtain public input about recreation on the Allegheny National Forest did not go well. The solution? No more meetings. PDF files for this item 2008 02 06 Allegheny NF No More Meetings 2008 02 05 Are Americans Afraid Of The Outdoors? A study shows Americans aren\'t going out into nature as much as they used to. One reason is the increasing cost. Which is why taking your kids to a National Forest should be getting cheaper, not more expensive. PDF files for this item 2008 02 05 Are Americans Afraid Of The Outdoors? 2008 01 30 Allegheny NF Meeting Derails Allegheny National Forest meeting goes off track due to angry local users PDF files for this item 2008 01 30 Allegheny NF Meeting Derails 2007 12 30 Miracles Do Happen Bonner County Idaho Editorial re introduction of Fee Repeal Bill PDF files for this item 2007 12 30 Miracles Do Happen 2007 12 20 Harrisburg Illinois Daily Register This article personalizes the impact of recreation fees on the Shawnee National Forest. PDF files for this item 2007 12 20 Harrisburg Illinois Daily Register 2007 12 19 Tucson Citizen Billie Stanton Billie Stanton column in the Tucson Citizen brings the fee issue home to Tucson and Mt Lemmon, home of the notorious case of US vs Wallace. PDF files for this item 2007 12 19 Tucson Citizen Billie Stanton 2007 12 13 Poker Night A tongue-in-cheek look at fees from the Harrisburg Illinois Daily Register PDF files for this item 2007 12 13 Poker Night 2007 12 11 Energy and Environment Daily re Intro of Repeal Bill Article from a Washington insider newsletter about the introduction of a bill to repeal the FLREA by Senators Baucus, Crapo, and Tester PDF files for this item 2007 12 11 Energy and Environment Daily re Intro of Repeal Bill 2007 12 06 Schneider New West re Repeal Bill Intro Bill Schneider of NewWest.net was the first to publish news of the introduction of a bill to repeal the FLREA by Senator Max Baucus. PDF files for this item 2007 12 07 Schneider New West re Repeal Bill Intro 2007 11 12 Day Use Fee Planned at Timberline Lodge Mt Hood National Forest considers charging a day use fee to visit Timberline Lodge, as well as many closures and reduced facilities and services at developed recreation sites. PDF files for this item 2007 11 12 Day Use Fee Planned at Timberline Lodge 2007 10 11 Funkhouser Was Unsung Hero Missoula Independent political columnist George Ochenski on what the loss of Robert Funkouser means for the no-fee movement PDF files for this item 2007 10 11 Funkhouser Was Unsung Hero 2007 10 05 Hoodoo Letter re Camping Fees The CEO of Forest Service concessionaire Hoodoo Recreation makes the case that low fees in agency managed campgrounds make him look greedy. No, it is the high fees he charges that make him look greedy. PDF files for this item 2007 10 05 Hoodoo Letter re Camping Fees 2007 10 05 Colo Spgs Gazette Editorial Editorial from the October 5, 2007 Colorado Springs Gazette on why nobody celebrates Public Lands Day any more. PDF files for this item 2007 10 05 Colo Spgs Gazette Editorial 2007 09 14 Los Padres NF May Close Sites Ventura County Star on Los Padres National Forest plan to close sites according to their Recreation Facilities Analysis plan, with little or no public input. PDF files for this item 2007 09 14 Los Padres NF May Close Sites 2007 06 12 TV Reporter Ticketed on Mt Evans Denver TV reporter ticketed at overlook on Mt Evans for not paying $10 fee. PDF files for this item 2007 06 12 TV Reporter Ticketed on Mt Evans 2007 05 06 NPS Fees Headed Up Denver Post on NPS Entrance fee increases. PDF files for this item 2007 05 06 NPS Fees headed up 2007 04 29 USA Today Fees Up Visits Down USA Today on declining visitation to National Parks as entrance fees rise. PDF files for this item 2007 04 29 Fees Up Visits Down 2007 04 29 Denver Post re Mt Evans Denver Post on the Forest Service fee program at Mt Evans. After a tussle with the state transportation department, vehicles traveling non-stop no longer have to pay. But you would have trouble figuring that out from the signs. PDF files for this item 2007 04 29 Denver Post re Mt Evans 2007 04 21 Baucus Berates Fees Bill Schneider of NewWest.net on Senator Max Baucus intent to introduce legislation to repeal the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. PDF files for this item 2007 04 21 Baucus Berates Fees 2007 03 21 Sequoia NF Takes Campground Back From Community Group Sequoia National Forest takes the Camp 9 Campground back from a local community group, which plans to appeal the decision. PDF files for this item 2007 03 21 Sequoia NF Takes Campground Back From Community Group 2007 02 14 Willamette Week Fee Fi Foe Dumb Article from the Willamette (OR) Week about Congressman Peter DeFazios opposition to forest service recreation fees. PDF files for this item 2007 02 14 Willamette Week Fee Fi Foe Dumb 2007 01 30 Bosworth Calls Pause In Campground Closure Plans Casper Tribune on Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth calling a hiatus on the Recreation Site Facility Management Planning process due to adverse publicity about campgrounds closing. PDF files for this item 2007 01 30 Bosworth Calls Pause In Campground Closure Plans 2006 12 17 San Juan NF May Lose Six Sites San Juan National Forest making plans to close six recreation sites, but refuses to name them. Their Recreation Facility Analysis 5 Year Plan was not released until more than a year after this article appeared. PDF files for this item 2006 12 17 San Juan NF May Lose Six Sites 2006 11 24 No Partner No Potty Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada wants partners for their developed recreation sites or they will close them down. PDF files for this item 2006 11 24 No Partner No Potty 2006 11 19 Hundreds of Campsites May Close Front page story from the Denver Post about Recreation Site Facility Master Planning, since renamed Recreation Facility Analysis. PDF files for this item 2006 11 19 Hundreds of Campsites May Close 2006 10 26 Medicine Bow-Routt NF Trail Fees Casper Star-Tribune on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest plan to charge a fee for use of hiking trails. PDF files for this item 2006_10_26 Medicine Bow-Routt NF Trail Fees 2006 10 25 Trail Users Will Pay Fee Jackson Hole Star-Tribune on U.S. vs Chris Wallace PDF files for this item 2006 10 25 Trail Users Will Pay Fee 2006 10 11 Locals Concerned About GMUG Closures A good article from the Delta County (CO) Independent about the lack of public input into the Recreation Site Facilities Master Planning process on the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison National Forests PDF files for this item 2006 10 11 Locals Concerned About GMUG Closures 2006 10 06 Fee Fight Tucson Weekly on U.S. vs Chris Wallace PDF files for this item 2006 10 06 Fee Fight 2006 04 22 RSFMP To Close Campgrounds Casper Tribune on the Forest Service policy that will close campgrounds and other developed facilities across the nation. PDF files for this item RSFMP To Close Campgrounds 2006 04 18 Green Mountain Fee Increase Nixed Green Mountain Fee increase denied until citizen advisory committe reviews proposal PDF files for this item 2006 04 18 Green Mountain Fee Increase Nixed 2006 03 20 Fee Policy Primer Bryan Faehner on Fee Policy on public lands PDF files for this item 2006 03 20 Fee Policy Primer 2006 03 07 Summit Daily on Green Mountain Summit Daily News on the Green Mountain management plan PDF files for this item 2006 03 07 Summit Daily on Green Mountain 2006 03 07 Green Mountain Editorial and Response Editorial in favor of fee increase at Green Mountain Reservoir, and WSNFC response PDF files for this item 2006 03 07 Green Mountain Editorial and Response 2006 01 11 Coronado NF Closing Campgrounds Coronado National Forest to close campgrounds under Recreation Facility Management program PDF files for this item 2006 01 11 Coronado NF Closing Campgrounds 2005 10 29 Provo Herald on Senate Hearing Provo Herald on hearing in Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee PDF files for this item 2005 10 29 Provo Herald on Senate Hearing 2005 10 19 Summit Daily re Senate Hearing Summit County Daily re hearing in Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee PDF files for this item 2005 10 19 Summit Daily re Senate Hearing 2005 09 11 Green Mountain Users Hit FS Head On Summit County News re contentious meeting between Green Mountain Reservoir users and Arapaho National Forest PDF files for this item 2005 09 11 Green Mountain Users Hit FS Head On 2005 07 16 Provo Herald re American Fork Canyon Provo Herald on the continuing highly legally questionable fee for American Fork Canyon PDF files for this item 2005 07 16 Provo Herald re American Fork Canyon 2005 07 02 Provo Herald re American Fork Canyon Provo Herald on the continuing highly legally questionable fee for American Fork Canyon PDF files for this item 2005 07 02 Provo Herald re American Fork Canyon 2005 06 23 Provo Herald re American Fork Canyon Provo Herald on the continuing highly legally questionable fee for American Fork Canyon PDF files for this item 2005 06 23 Provo Herald re American Fork Canyon 2005 04 24 Billings Gazette MT Reso Article from the Billings Gazette re resolutions passed by states opposing the FLREA PDF files for this item 2005 04 24 Billings Gazette MT Reso 2005 04 23 Bend Bulletin Deschutes Reinstates Fees Article from the Bend (OR) Bulletin about the Deschutes National Forest reversing its earlier announcement that it would be dropping most recreation fees. PDF files for this item 2005 04 23 Bend Bulletin Deschutes Reinstates Fees 2005 03 09 Montrose Wants Fees Repealed Montrose (CO) Daily Press on county resolution calling for repeal of fee bill PDF files for this item 2005 03 09 Montrose Wants Fees Repealed 2004 12 20 WSNFC Challenges Regula WSNFC opposes Ralph Regula for Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. He did not get the job. PDF files for this item 2004 12 20 WSNFC Challenges Regula 2004 12 19 Quillen Denver Post Columnist Ed Quillen on passage of the RAT PDF files for this item 2004 12 19 Quillen Denver Post 2004 12 15 Regula Statement re FLREA Congressman Ralph Regula official statement on why he rammed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act through Congress without a vote. Regula has no federal public land in his district. Every one of the promises he made in this statement has been broken. PDF files for this item 2004 12 15 Regula Statement re FLREA 2004 12 14 LA Times LA Times on the passage of the RAT PDF files for this item 2004 12 14 LA Times 2004 12 07 Refuse to Pay Fees Why you should refuse to pay fees PDF files for this item 2004 12 07 Refuse to Pay Fees 2004 12 02 Grand Junction Sentinel Grand Junction Sentinel on passage of the RAT PDF files for this item 2004 12 02 Grand Junction Sentinel 2004 11 28 Denver Post Editorial Denver Post editorial on passage of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 2004 11 26 Durango Herald Editorial Durango Herald editorial on the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act PDF files for this item 2004 11 26 Durango Herald Editorial 2004 11 28 Denver Post Editorial 2004 11 19 House Passes Fee Bill Press release from the House Resources Committee on passage of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. What it fails to say is that the FLREA was buried a 3,000 page appropriations bill and never received a standalone vote PDF files for this item 2004 11 19 House Passes Fee Bill 2004 09 22 Pombo and Walden Statements Press release from the House Resources Committee on why they passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act over the objections of thousands of Americans. Statements included from Richard Pombo (R-CA) and Greg Walden (R-OR) PDF files for this item 2004 09 22 Pombo and Walden Statements 2004 06 01 Fee Demo Sucks Feature article and personal manifesto by Western Slope No-Fee Coalition President Robert Funkhouser. This appeared in the June-July 2004 issue of the Canyon Country Zephyr. PDF files for this item 2004 06 01 Fee Demo Sucks 2004 02 23 Summit Daily re Fee Opposition Summit Daily about opposition to recreation fees PDF files for this item 2004 02 23 Summit Daily re Fee Opposition 2000 06 02 Forest Service Recreation Strategy Another revealing internal memo about the dependenceon concessionaires and fees for recreation on the National Forests. PDF files for this item 2000 06 02 Forest Service Recreation Strategy 2000 02 14 Land of the Fee High Country News feature article about the broken promises, unintended consequences, unaccountability and general all around failure of Fee Demo. PDF files for this item 2000 02 14 Land of the Fee 2000 01 12 FS Fails Bookkeeping 101 Idaho Mountain Express on the Forest Service inept bookkeeping PDF files for this item 2000 01 12 FS Fails Bookkeeping 101 |
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