MFF US Northwest > Montana
Georgetown Lake Boat Fee!
d_smith84:
Interesting conversation. Would like to hear more regarding Quantoson's statement of "I don't pay, just use as historically allowed. Haven't gotten ticketed or told I must pay yet. When I am asked by an attendant person inquiring at the area why I have not paid, I just say it is forest service and there is nothing that the law states I must pay, bubye."
I understand the "historical use" idea but not sure how that holds up. Do you have a link to any site that would support this? It's getting to the point where there are fewer places to go and more people using the few places available.
Quantoson:
This is a snippet of a 2016 article of what is going on or I should what has happened in Colorado. Anywhere you go now in Colorado which is national forest has a fee. "" day-use fees violate the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which prohibits the agency from charging for certain access. "" They started this back in the early 90's in Colorado.
link: https://www.denverpost.com/2012/09/27/private-operators-of-forest-service-recreation-sites-spurs-lawsuit/
The intent is to make this the norm across the USA. Once they establish the fee from concessionaires, it turns into private enterprise and after a few years everyone is used to it and stops crying and they just keep jacking up the fee.
My take on this:
Every camp ground or recreation area, boat launch has a budget funded by tax dollars.
These tax dollar budgets are given to the concessionaire to operate the area after bidding on the concession (if a bid took place)
All improvement requests are still paid by tax dollars although maintenance is by operator (trash, safety, etc.)
The concessionaire sets fees
The pay to the area caretaker who may not be a valid employee, meaning on contract or seasonal worker, they get a % of fees plus allows for RV to be parked for free, but the pay does not meet Davis Bacon wages by any means which is required by law.
I had a great opportunity to work one of these one summer for a concessionaire. I went to look at the area and it was the one I was using at least three times a year. That would have been bogus, charge to launch and camp on public land where I wasn't paying? I never paid before and still don't. Around Hungary Horse Res. This has already taken place. For a few years already. On forest service land.
Got this snippet from this link https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/16/6802
(1) Prohibition on fees for certain activities or servicesThe Secretary shall not charge any standard amenity recreation fee or expanded amenity recreation fee for Federal recreational lands and waters administered by the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, or the Bureau of Reclamation under this chapter for any of the following:
(I) Any person who visits a unit or area under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and who has been issued a valid migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp issued under section 718b of this title
Reasearch, call Tester, Daines, and the upcoming challenger Rosendale to Testers seat and tell them.
Quantoson:
--- Quote from: d_smith84 on Jul 02, 2018, 08:21 PM ---Interesting conversation. Would like to hear more regarding Quantoson's statement of "I don't pay, just use as historically allowed. Haven't gotten ticketed or told I must pay yet. When I am asked by an attendant person inquiring at the area why I have not paid, I just say it is forest service and there is nothing that the law states I must pay, bubye."
I understand the "historical use" idea but not sure how that holds up. Do you have a link to any site that would support this? It's getting to the point where there are fewer places to go and more people using the few places available.
--- End quote ---
The answer is above on the post (I). If you have a valid migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp, tell or show them. EXEMPT! LOVE having brains to research and over come the obstacles. Do not be a sheeple.
ham_viper:
--- Quote from: Quantoson on Jul 13, 2018, 06:47 PM ---The answer is above on the post (I). If you have a valid migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp, tell or show them. EXEMPT! LOVE having brains to research and over come the obstacles. Do not be a sheeple.
--- End quote ---
This statement is only for sites managed by US Fish Wildlife and Parks. I think the sites in question are administered by the forest service and are not covered by this provision. Section D-1-A also only applies when under a specific law or treaty so unless you are a Native American or can identify a different law that applies this one also does not work either. I hope someone can dig up a law that would apply here because I still think this sucks. We are going to be Colorado soon if this does not stop.
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