[Newt]

[MtnGoat]

[polarbear-]

I would like to see the forest pass go the way of the Edsel. No fees for primitive recreation on city, county, state, and USFS/BLM land. By primitive recreation, I mean walking, strolling, skipping, whistling, picnicing, hiking, and throwing a frisbee. This provides a much needed modicum of basic recreation for the citizens which benefits society as a whole. We all know there is alot of congressional pork and it looks like there are some dollars flowing into our state for legitimate purposes, and a few of these dollars being directed towards trails wouldn't hurt things.

[Dante]

[Dante]

FYI I did some research on this a while ago when a member of these forums got a ticket. The law and regulations extablishing the fee system define the violation as failure to pay. The violation is NOT failure to display the permit. If you get ticketed, remember (1) government has the burden of proof and (2) you don't have to testify against yourself. Just get a copy of the regs defining the violation, give it to the Magistrate, tell him or her you understand the government has to prove you did not pay and then shut up. As a practical matter it will be difficult or impossible for the government to prove to the Magistrate's satisfaction that you did not pay the fee. Last time I checked people were winning cases this way and the Federal Magistrates responsible for hearing these cases were throwing them out left and right . . . I guess it's natural for ARC members to try to make a profit from our use of public lands if they can. It's also natural for us to not use parling lots if we can park for free down the road (I'm going hiking--what's another 1/4 or 1/2 mile?). I'm with Mountain Goat on this one. Don't feed the bears. They'll only want more.

[kiliki]

Lykkens-Are you talking about Ollalie STATE park-where the Twin Falls trail is? Its not a NATIONAL park, thus your national park pass doesn't work there.

[kiliki]

All of the recent articles in the media about the condition of Nat. Parks, job outsourcing, etc., must have spurred many constituents to write their representitives. 111 congressmen, all democrats, just sent a letter to the DOI and to the Office of Management and Budget protesting cutbacks in the park service budget and the recent decision to spend millions of NPS dollars that could be used for repairs, maintenence and jobs to study outsourcing. So people's protests/letters can make an impact!