| WESTERN SLOPE NO-FEE COALITION |
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THE FEE-FREE PRESS
DEAR PUBLIC LANDS SUPPORTER
In December, we alerted you to two BLM Districts in Utah that were proposing sweeping new fee programs. They said they wanted the public to weigh in but they announced the plans on an obscure webpage and only took comments until early January. Clearly they were hoping that YOU were too busy over the holidays to notice what they were up to.
Ironically, the lengthy government shutdown put a temporary halt to their process and gave us enough time to obtain the public comments. We have been able to demonstrate conclusively that both plans are overwhelmingly opposed by the public.
But instead of going back to the drawing board and reconsidering their unpopular, misguided plans, BLM is going full speed ahead.
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BLM UTAH FORGES AHEAD
Despite overwhelming public opposition: lots more fees, less dispersed camping, little outreach.
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BLM to Public: We do not care what you think. |
In December, two offices of the Bureau of Land Management in Utah quietly announced plans to make sweeping changes to fees at popular recreation areas. They released their plans and held a 30-day comment period smack dab in the middle of the holidays. They planned to get them approved by the Utah Resource Advisory Council in January. That group has never -
ever! - said no to a fee proposal.
We
alerted you, and you responded. Each office got over 100 comments,
only two of which were supportive!
The results were decisive:
Ironically, the government shutdown forced the RAC meeting
to be cancelled.
But instead of slowing down to address the public opposition, the BLM is forging ahead.
On May 29 they published
revised plans and opened a
new comment period of only 14 days. When the 14 days are up, they are allowing only three business days to review and "analyze" the comments before they will present them to the RAC at a
meeting in Kanab.
Clearly, they already know how that "analysis" will turn out.
If approved these plans will result in:
- The loss of three beautiful and popular fee-free undeveloped camping areas in the Richfield Field Office
- A major expansion of the hiking permit system at Cedar Mesa in the Monticello Field Office to encompass Butler Wash, a large dispersed camping and hiking area
- Increases in Cedar Mesa overnight and day use hiking permit fees of as much as 300%
BLM claims that public comments have been incorporated into the revised plans, but there is no evidence of that at all. They primarily beefed up their rationale for why they need these new/increased fees, without addressing the feedback they have gotten.
This is a blatant example of BLM's long-time practice of going through the motions of public outreach without the slightest intention of paying attention to what the public has to say.
They have heard loud and clear that these are unpopular proposals, but they seem determined to ignore that. We only have until June 12 to
tell them again! This time, send your comments not just to the two Field Offices, but also to Matthew Blocker, the Recreation Officer in the Utah State Office, who oversees the process statewide.
He should be ashamed of himself!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Here is some suggested language. Please put this into your own words and add personal comments. Include your name and address.
To the Richfield Field Office
Subject line "Richfield Campground Business Plan"
Dear Richfield Field Office:
You have already received overwhelming feedback that your proposed recreation fee plans are not supported by the general public. Public support is required by federal law; you do not have it. The current public comment period is far too short and too poorly advertised. It is designed to minimize public input, not to facilitate it.
In your Plan, you propose to convert three popular dispersed camping areas to expensive fee sites when there is a need for more natural undeveloped fee-free camping opportunities. The BLM is headed in the wrong direction. Please abandon your Plan in favor of managing the area as it presently is.
Please notify the Utah Resource Advisory Council that I OPPOSE your business plan!
To the Monticello Field Office
Subject line "Cedar Mesa Business Plan Comment"
Dear Monticello Field Office:
You have already received overwhelming feedback that your proposed recreation fee plans are not supported by the general public. Public support is required by federal law; you do not have it. The current public comment period is far too short and too poorly advertised. It is designed to minimize public input, not to facilitate it.
Your Plan seeks to increase fees for existing hiking areas and add dozens more trails to the fee-for-hiking locations. I do not appreciate having to pay to access our public trail system. Fee increases of up to 300% for access to the canyons where you already charge for access is unacceptable. The costs of hiring additional personnel for your district office and other proposed expenditures cannot be recovered by collection of the increased and added new fees. Don't use ability to pay to limit visitation; it is discriminatory and violates the tradition of public lands as places where everyone has access and is welcome.
Please notify the Utah Resource Advisory Council that I OPPOSE the newly proposed fee schedule!
Even if you are not familiar with these particular areas, please comment anyway because the process is bogus and needs to be protested. If they get away with this in Utah, your favorite area will be next!
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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 |
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