Sneaky, Sneaky: Congress Quietly Tries to Add Widespread User Fees for Public Lands

4x4x4doors

Explorer
In a classic bit of stealth lawmaking, House Resources Committee chairman Doc Hastings, a Washington Republican, last month opened the door for more widespread recreation day use fees on federal lands.

Without a committee hearing, Hastings sent HR 5204 (The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014) to the floor of the House, where it could, according to critics, become law without any public hearing at all as a rider to a budget bill.

Federal land agencies introduced recreation fees during the reinventing government era of the late 1990s. The program, initially known as Rec Fee Demo, was used to charge parking fees at trailheads and day use areas that had previously been free. The revenues were meant to be used to improve the areas where they were collected.

The program was tweaked by subsequent legislation that spelled out very specifically where fees are authorized and which areas should remain free. The Forest Service tried to expand the definition of fee areas, but activists pushed back to limit charges, resulting in a series of court decisions that limited the agency's ability to charge fees for undeveloped areas.

The latest version could result in many more widespread fees, both at highly developed recreation sites and those that are completely undeveloped like wilderness areas, according to the Colorado-based Western Slope No Fee Coalition.
Rest of article can be seen here:http://www.adventure-journal.com/20...to-add-widespread-user-fees-for-public-lands/

I had seen earlier references to this bill but it had a low likelihood of passage. It seems there are plans to attach it as a rider to the 2015 Appropriations legislation where it is more likely to slide through as the appropriations bills are generally considered "must pass" legislation.
 

hansrober

Adventurer
I am surprised our congress has not just decided to put all forth coming legislation in the appropriations bill and then just adjourn themselves until next year. Somebody can read it later. What a shadow game.
 

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