WESTERN SLOPE NO-FEE COALITION
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December 16, 2018    

 
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BLM UTAH MOVES TO EXPAND FEES AND REDUCE DISPERSED CAMPING WITH MINIMUM PUBLIC INPUT
  
THE FEE-FREE PRESS

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DEAR PUBLIC LANDS SUPPORTER 

Two BLM Districts in Utah are proposing sweeping new fee programs. They say they want the public to comment but have only announced the plans on an obscure webpage and are only taking comments until early January. Clearly they are hoping that YOU are too busy over the holidays to notice what they are up to. By the time visitors return to these areas next spring and summer, it will be too late.

Don't let them claim that the public doesn't care because they got little comment. Send something short, but
SEND SOMETHING. 
Details below.
BLM UTAH MOVES TO EXPAND FEES AND REDUCE DISPERSED CAMPING WITH MINIMUM PUBLIC INPUT 
 
The areas affected get little visitation in the winter, yet public comments are only being accepted from now until early January!  
 
No, really. We'd rather not hear from you. 
- BLM Utah
The Bureau of Land Management in Utah has quietly announced plans to make sweeping changes to fees at two popular recreation areas. The changes would result in higher prices for existing fee sites, many new fee sites, and fewer opportunities for free dispersed camping.
The Monticello Field Office wants to:
  • raise Cedar Mesa overnight hiking permit fees by 188% in peak season and 300% in the off season.   
  • raise Cedar Mesa day use fees by 250%
  • impose a new fee for Butler Wash, a long-time dispersed (undeveloped) camping and day hiking area
  • impose new fees for two roadside interpretive sites/rest areas along Highway 95 at Mule Canyon ruins and Butler Wash ruins
The Richfield Field Office wants to:  
  • expand a small existing free campground and begin charging a fee there for the first time
  • build four new individual and group campgrounds in places that are now used as free dispersed (undeveloped ) camping areas and as ATV and equestrian trailheads 
  • ban dispersed camping within 1/2 mile of those newly constructed campgrounds
  • get approval for fees at the newly constructed campgrounds before they are even built
BLM is required to allow the public an opportunity to comment and participate in the decision - but they are doing the absolute minimum notification they think they can get away with. Since hardly anyone knows this is happening, land managers anticipate getting little feedback and will then say that the public supports their plans since they didn't hear much back. None of the areas affected receives much visitation in the winter, although visitors from around the country and the world arrive in the spring and summer.  
 
By this spring and summer, if the BLM gets its way, visitors will find these changes are a Done Deal.
 
The only thing that can stop this runaway train is significant outcry from the public - right now - about this rigged process while the brief comment period is underway. We are not asking you to interrupt your holiday festivities to read the lengthy and complicated proposals. (Although if you would like to they can be accessed at THIS LINK.)  
 
We are asking you to insist that a meaningful opportunity for public input be provided. It would be best if you put your comment into your own words, but it's a busy time of year so here is some suggested language. Please modify and personalize this to fit your personal concerns.
 
Dear BLM Utah Recreation Manager:
I object to the stealthy and rigged process by which sweeping changes to recreation fees in the Monticello and Richfield Districts is being conducted.  
  • The process is stealthy because comments are only being accepted in the middle of winter and over the busy year-end holidays although the areas affected receive little winter visitation and most visitors are completely unaware this is happening. 
  • The process is rigged because BLM has already decided to go ahead with the proposals regardless of public input. For example, the cover letter of the Monticello proposal refers to the public comment period in the past tense and has an approval date of January 15, 2019 already filled in - even though the comment period is currently open.  For another example, both proposals will be submitted on January 11, 2019 to the statewide Resource Advisory Council for their approval. That's only five days (or four or one depending on which deadline you believe - there are three different dates specified in the documents) after the comment period closes. Clearly no honest analysis can be accomplished in such a short time.
 I oppose these fee increases of as much as 300%. I oppose reducing opportunities for free dispersed (undeveloped) camping. I oppose approving new fee sites before they are even constructed.

Include your name and address and send your comment to BOTH the Monticello and Richfield Districts at these addresses:
with the subject line "Cedar Mesa Business Plan Comment"  
with the subject line "Richfield Campground Business Plan"
 
Even if you are not familiar with these particular areas, please comment anyway because it's the process that needs to be protested. If they get away with this in Utah, your favorite area will be next!  
 
The Western Slope No-Fee Coalition is a broad-based organization consisting of diverse interests including hiking, biking, boating, equestrian and motorized enthusiasts, community groups, local and state elected officials, conservatives and liberals, Republicans and Democrats, and just plain citizens.
 
Our goals are:
    • To eliminate recreation fees for general access to public lands managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
    • To eliminate backcountry fees and interpretive program fees in National Parks
    • To require more accountability within the land management agencies
    • To encourage Congress to adequately fund our public lands
 
Thank you for your support!
 
Sincerely,
 
Kitty Benzar
Western Slope No Fee Coalition