Permanent fee to hike trails?

imported
#21

Yep, when I read the policy facts provided by Tu and Officer Taco, I can’t help but laugh at the unsubstantiated liberal gripe that started yet another fruitless bitchfest thread…largely of a counter-cultural down with the goverment attitude.

Furthermore, I love how chopping down trees for revenue is somehow associated with the global war on terrorism and the fighting in Iraq. Stroke it. If you don’t like the war, go have a friggin’ peace rally in Fallujah and alter the mindset of the Muslim Extremists that use their ideological fallacies to wage their war on Western Culture.

Rowboat

#22

I hate to rain on y’all’s parade, but fees are a fact of life. Both state and federal land management agencies have been at the short end of the budget for years (especially now as we are paying for gw’s private war). In this environment of lower taxes, pay to play is reality and you can either play by the rules, or ignore them and continue to fight your pyric battles.

Last year, SC Forestry commission instituted a parking fee at one one local state forests, %2 a day or buy a year pass for $30. I bike there often and it is worth it to pay to keep the trails open - its a small price to pay. I also know that the state can barely afford to enforce the regs, but I would rather have them spend their money on trails and facilities than tracking down those who are too good to pay for what they use.

I also pay fees for hunting and fishing, so the idea of pay to play is one I am used to. Hikers, backpackers, and the “non consuptive” recreationists have had a free ride for years and while I wish the government spent its money on something productive (trails, endangered species habitat restoration), it is about time that they too pitch in - I suspect that anyone who can afford either section or thru hikes and afford a permit once in a while.

As a side note - rec fees also are there for the OHVers and 4-wheelers to force them to cough up some dough to cover the costs of fixing what they tear up (or at least try to).

So quit whining about being asked (or told) that you hare responible for some of the maintenance costs of the area you use and be thankful that the gates are still open (and yes, I know you pay taxes, so do I - this is just another tax, but at leastit is one that actually does some good)

stumps

#23

whats with taking any opportunity to sling mud at the opposite political party? cant we just discuss what the pros and cons of fees are without bringing our whole party platform into it?

milo

#24

yeah no kidding. sup milo.

Say what you want, stumps, but I feel like I should pay to go walk in the woods. Trails are built to minimize impact in a central area. You don’t have to walk on them.

Since I am a learning recreation ecologist, it probably would help me out, because management agencies could finally pay for the management tools we hope to provide. But shifting tax money BACK to the parks is what we need. Not a double tax. True, the need for funding is great. But this is only recently. This is a part of a much bigger plan. That’s the scary part.

Tha Wookie

#25

i meant to say I DO NOT feel like I should have to pay EXTRA to walk in the woods.

Tha Wookie

#26

Good morning hikers.

The fee demo was slipped onto an omnibus bill back in 1996, I think it was, just like this law was slipped onto this year’s omnibus bill, thereby avoiding a vote by either house. It’s sneaky and underhanded to so such a thing:
THAT is mainly my point. The rest is just icing on an already ugly cake.

In Shenandoah National Park, one can drive in and pay a fee of $10 for a seven-day pass, or buy an annual pass for $20. I got the annual pass and I was glad to do it. So did my housemate who’ll be my a big part of my support team through Virginia on my thru hike next year. If you walk into the park, you need a permit, but entrance is free. I like this arrangement: Ed Abbey suggested being tougher on cars. I enjoy the fee inequity in this case.

I never said anything about those evil republicans or those goofy democrats or about cutting trees. I didn’t generalize about groups, though I’m tempted. I never said it might not be a good idea to be SMART about executing an interesting and surprising response to Sept. 11. I never said invading Iraq was smart. I did attack one person as being, overall, egregiously stupid. I stand by that statement. (As for drug use,Taco, it’s funny how the same year the air guard instituted drug testing, this president stopped showing up for his flight physicals. The more things change, the more they stay the same. I think we just have a soft spot for losers, which explains this guy’s popularity.) This administration is full of “yes” men and women, and is taking us gradually to the point of a huge fiscal mess.

I’m not offended by different opinions. In spite of my background, I’m no militant. I just love nature (Yes, I have actually hugged trees!), walking, this country and people in general. Hate to see them killing each other on the sketchy say-so of a moron. I have a draft-age cousin.

I’ll be happy to go off-thread with this discussion. Thanks for those who have already e-mailed me.

See you out there! (hopefully NOT to discuss politics!)

:boy

Tyger

#27

I’ve hugged trees too. :happy Really. No joshing.

Jumble Jowls

#28

Mine was a huge tall douglas fir out in the coast range of oregon. She was gorgeous. She wanted me. :tongue

Tyger