In a message dated 3/23/2005 2:54:35 PM Pacific Standard Time, crainb_at_pdx.edu writes: >In Oregon and Washington, we have a multitude of relatively >new fees. State parks now charge an admission fee. Cross country >ski parking areas require a snow park permit. Hiking in >the national forests requires a North West Forest Pass. >Oregon and Washington boat ramps require a usuage fee. Local >Sauvie Island beaches and Rooster Rock beaches now charge a fee. >My favorite little park in Washinton now charges >a fee to carry your kayak down a little gravel path to the water. >These fees all were invented in the last few years. It doesn't >take a rocket scientist to see a trend developing. I can't speak >for everyone, but personally I'm fed up with fees. Is it time to change that line in your national anthem to "the land of the fee..."? Not that we should be getting smug up here in Canukistan - the current provincial government here in BC has slashed parks budgets, priviatized a lot of the parks/campground care, and is getting ready to lease out even more land for the building of commerical resorts in provincial parks.. It's not that I can't afford the fees - $5.00 or so for the backcountry/boat only access places I camp. But I know families who want to be able to use forestry (ie minimal facilities) campsites. And the $35 - $50 a week that might cost makes the difference between being able to go and not being able to go. So the "public lands" cease to be public, and become "for those who can afford them." Philip *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Mar 26 2005 - 16:54:58 PST
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