Take action or get ready to pay for boondocking

[boydrkb]

by Jim Koca, Advocacy Director

As some Escapees are aware, a bill has been introduced in the United States Congress, HB 5204, entitled The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014, which will allow fees to be collected for most of the "public land" that is controlled by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. If the bill passes, it would allow the Federal Government to charge fees for any activity on land that we presently have access to for free. Fees could include a permit fee, day use fee, or a special use fee. There is the possibility that the bill could be attached to an appropriation bill, which would allow the bill to pass without public comment or debate.

It is time now to get involved and contact your congressman and senators where you have your domicile and let them know that HB 5204 should be defeated. In the past, public lands have been turned over to concessionaires that allowed them to charge fees or to refuse to give discounts for entering the federal lands. This bill may not pass, but don't take a chance and let the other members contact their congressman or senators. It only takes a few minutes to let the representatives that we elected know how we feel.

To find your congressman, you can go to http://www.house.gov, and for senators, you can go to http://www.senate.gov.

If you would like to review the bill yourself:
https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5204/text

[Calisdad]

If I wanted a bill to pass I'd spread the word that it has zero chance of passing too. You can sit on your hands and ridicule those who take action but don't come crying when your taxes are raised. Yes this is a tax by any other name.

If you think this is good for the forests as it will raise money for maintenance and improvements then there's not much I can say to you. If you care about your freedoms then take a minute and let your representatives know how you feel.

[darsben]

boydrkb wrote:
If people like me did all the research people like you (Don't think I have to tag you) wouldn't have a chance to pontificate your superior intelligence. BTW, y'all, when the deal making begins in political huddles, "almost zero chance" can become signed and sealed in a heartbeat. And, since I bit on your bait, if I'm Chicken Little, someone (not pointing fingers) must be the ostrich.

I am not asking for ALL just a small amount. Like searching for the bill number you referenced before posting. Also not to knee jerk react to some piece of email you receive before PASTING AND COPYING to spread on the net. It is called being a responsible member of the community.

But why did you have to double post a topic that had 3 previous threads already? Lazy?
Do not know how to search?
Do not care about anyone but yourself?
I am not an ostrich I took the time to go to the house bill website and research the background. YOU DID NOTHING.

[boydrkb]

If people like me did all the research people like you (Don't think I have to tag you) wouldn't have a chance to pontificate your superior intelligence. BTW, y'all, when the deal making begins in political huddles, "almost zero chance" can become signed and sealed in a heartbeat. And, since I bit on your bait, if I'm Chicken Little, someone (not pointing fingers) must be the ostrich.

[dahkota]

darsben wrote:

It would be nice if people with a chicken little outlook on life did a little research before getting their undies in a twist

END OF RANT

X2.
thanks for saying it out loud!

[mockturtle]

There is the possibility that the bill could be attached to an appropriation bill, which would allow the bill to pass without public comment or debate.

I can see this happening. They'll stick unpopular riders onto bills that they know will pass. Happens all the time.

[darsben]

I really dislike people with the sky is falling mentality such as displayed with this thread. There were threads a week ago and the OP failed to search for them. In addition the OP seems to have just had a knee jerk reaction without even researching. The republican sponsored bill has less than a 7% chance of passing the house. There is no corresponding senate bill so the chance of getting enacted into law is almost zero.
Then the poster had to post the same drivel twice.
It would be nice if people with a chicken little outlook on life did a little research before getting their undies in a twist

END OF RANT

[buta4]

old guy wrote:
new fees, must be time for the politicians to give themselves another big raise in pay.

Reminds me of the cold weather up North where a politician was actually seen on the sidewalk with his hands in his own pockets! :E

[old_guy]

new fees, must be time for the politicians to give themselves another big raise in pay.

[n7bsn]

As I've noted on one of the other threads about HR 5204, it is give a 7% chance of passing.

That is period, not just this session, this session the chance is ZERO.

The house is going on recess on the 22nd, the word is if they can get the budget passed, they will NOT be back in session until after the election (if then)

[tsetsaf]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Counting the other thread you just posted, there have been at least three more on this same subject.

Here's the most recent.

Good news. Word needs to be spread. Please cross link all the threads.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Not even counting the other thread on this subject you just posted, there have been at least three more here recently.

Here's the most recent.

[tsetsaf]

gbopp wrote:
Bill Clicky

Thanks for the link. Anyody read this yet? I strongly suggest it. If you are a motorcyclist there are specific rules that are aimed at you. I imagine this amendment pretty much screws over every major constituent.

"treat a motorcycle or snowmobile, when used
as transportation to enter a unit, as a motor vehicle
for the purposes of collecting entrance fees and shall
charge a consistent per vehicle rate;"

[tsetsaf]

Seems to be in direct response to recent court rulings invalidating fees currently being charged.

Thanks for posting I will write my house rep.

[boydrkb]

True-nuff, Bill but let's not forget about so many of our neighbors that are merely scraping by as it is....And, the issue that burns my but is this is OUR land and to have to pay a fee to sit on it is absurd. My 2 cents

[gbopp]

Bill Clicky