MFF US Northwest > Montana

Georgetown Lake Boat Fee!

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ham_viper:
Thanks for the heads up on this. I am really getting concerned by the fees for use popping up everywhere.

As a hunter and a fisherman, I pay for state lands access as well as my hunting/fishing licenses, and pay for management activities with my conservation permits, I pay a state lands use fee on my vehicle license still I believe as well, I license and register my boat including putting the sticker on when I need it, I also pay the new invasive species fees, I pay state and federal taxes. I have gladly paid all these fees for use as they were for general use and allowed me and anyone else the ability to recreate in the state. 

Most boat launches are already pack it in pack it out, lots of them don't even have a dock or an outhouse, what the heck are they maintaining, and why does there need to be staff there? The launches at the campground already have paid staff supported by the campsite fees.

I am concerned that pay to use will result in keeping those without money away from the recreational areas. We need to be careful with this. Public lands are supposed to be for public use, not for use by those who can afford to pay to use them. I would think something like this should require a vote or a least public input before it was implemented. I thought part of the point of public lands was to share the cost among the many to ensure it was accessible for all.

here is the official information:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/bdnf/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD581396

spedray:
I am in the same boat. Why should we pay to use our own public lands. I feel like even a $3 fee will keep the underprivileged people away. I could see paying a few to use docks but we already pay an access fee through our various license fees. Sad to see this taking place and wonder which place will be next. So now we are paying people to make sure we are paying our fees to use our own land? 

njoy:
Note the launches have been turned to a concessionare to monitor.  Most all forest service campgrounds now are the same. Private business now runs them. Profit motive?

Quantoson:
"concessionare to monitor"  is happening across the USA.  The forest service has leased out the areas to corporations to do as pleased and can even make their self a bylaw and fee schedule without approval.  Almost, if not all, national parks are managed in this method.  This allows them to hire any people and not be required to furnish all Government required benefits, wages, conditions or even citizenship requirements.  Tax payers still pay the up keep, while the "concessionare to monitor" just keeps the till.

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.  Please do the same because this is the introduction of capitalization of public land already subsidized by tax dollars.  Another fee to privatize enterprise of use public land.  I wish they had a Kiss My Brown Butt icon to add here. 8)

Herb Flores

njoy:
YEP! Goose Bay  ramp at Canyon Ferry another example. WAS a public launch even when Reller had the old marina area. Now under the new marina and it is 10 dollars to use the launch :(  unless you camp at the marina. Haven't used it since they took over.

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