CAMPING ON GOVERNMENT (OUR) LAND

[boydrkb]

Escapees News Bulletin
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

[Roman_Duck]

Water-Bug wrote:
Sorry, but the boondocks are maintained. Do you think that the people who put out forest fires work for free? Do you think that the people who rescue hikers and climbers work for free? I'd bet dollars to donuts (it use to be a good bet) that a he** of a lot more is spent on fire fighting and search and rescue than will ever be collected in user's fees. Sorry but "if you use you pay" is fine with me.

That's fine, as long as the funds that are collected are used for the lands, and not some pork!

[boydrkb]

dahkota, thanks for the footwork. You get my vote.

[dahkota]

How many here know exactly what the bill states? Not many, I'm guessing.

HR 5204 is a rewrite of a current active congressional act: FLREA. If FLREA isn't re-approved or updated by December 2015, all fees currently collected by NPS, NFS, and BLM will go into the general treasury; the DOI will loose all those funds for maintenance and improvements.

Additionally, if one had actually read the thing, one would know that:
where fees are allowed, 90% of fees collected will remain there for improvements.
It prevents fees from being charged where there are no improvements (there must be four of five to impose a fee).
It sets limits on the fees that can be imposed.
It requires 3rd party companies to grant discounts to pass holders at the same level as the Federal Pass (this is a good thing for seniors with 50% off camping).

So, your boondocking spots are safe. Your senior passes will give you more discounts. The fees cannot go up faster than congress will allow. Fees can't be imposed where there are no improvements.

[hotbyte]

Thanks sonora...sounds very different than what I'm accustomed to.

[sonora]

hotbyte wrote:
When camping on "unimproved" land, how do you get to the spot where you are going to camp? Do you just drive through the forest or across the desert?

Yes that is exactly what you do in many of the talked about places out west.

[hotbyte]

When camping on "unimproved" land, how do you get to the spot where you are going to camp? Do you just drive through the forest or across the desert?

[Bumpyroad]

Oh NO!!!! the people who use something will have to actually pay. I so like to pay out myself to subsidize other's hobbies.
bumpy

[NYCgrrl]

Don't mind paying for land usage(improved or not) and don't consider it a tax.

[mt1729]

I think the people that want to pay fees for using unimproved public lands should. What ever floats your boat. Just leave me out of it. I already pay plenty.

[Community Alumni]

"We live in a society where everyone thinks that they are entitled to something for nothing. 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax. Yet, they feel that they are entitled to use, what others have paid for, as a birthright.


Bravo!

[DiskDoctr]

There is no such thing as "Federal Lands"

Only DC is permitted to be under ownership of a non-state entity.

[BillB800si]

Geez, what a bunch of grouches...
If there's a road or a fence or a watch tower then it's improved. Stop being to cheap and pay a moderate price for squatting on someone else's property (All U.S. Tax payers - not just you).

I travel a lot and see these $200,000 Class A Motorhomes free camping in parking lots- what a bunch of cheap skates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EgorKC]

Water-Bug wrote:

boydrkb wrote:
Respectfully, Water-Bug, I spend my winters on BLM lands that are NOT maintained by our government. Not one smiggin of a two dollar doughnut is, or has ever been, spent on maintenance where I go. Should I see improvements, then yes, I'd expect to pay. We, you and I, already pay taxes. The last time I looked it was in excess of 30% out of every buck. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining (too much) but I do not think we need more taxation, we need better use of the taxes we are already paying.

"Maintaining where I go" is an interesting concept. I pay for air control systems I'll never use. I don't fly. I pay for school and colleges I'll never use. I have no kids. I pay for highways I'll never drive and to enforce laws I don't agree with. If there is a fire where you go, will you be there to put it out? If you get injured and need evacuated, what would you pay for assistance?

EDIT We live in a society where everyone thinks that they are entitled to something for nothing. 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax. Yet, they feel that they are entitled to use, what others have paid for, as a birthright.

Water Bug.
I believe you have stated the situation perfectly and correctly.
Greg, dba family Chef

[Water-Bug]

boydrkb wrote:
Respectfully, Water-Bug, I spend my winters on BLM lands that are NOT maintained by our government. Not one smiggin of a two dollar doughnut is, or has ever been, spent on maintenance where I go. Should I see improvements, then yes, I'd expect to pay. We, you and I, already pay taxes. The last time I looked it was in excess of 30% out of every buck. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining (too much) but I do not think we need more taxation, we need better use of the taxes we are already paying.

"Maintaining where I go" is an interesting concept. I pay for air control systems I'll never use. I don't fly. I pay for school and colleges I'll never use. I have no kids. I pay for highways I'll never drive and to enforce laws I don't agree with. If there is a fire where you go, will you be there to put it out? If you get injured and need evacuated, what would you pay for assistance?

EDIT We live in a society where everyone thinks that they are entitled to something for nothing. 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax. Yet, they feel that they are entitled to use, what others have paid for, as a birthright.

[dodge_guy]

Water-Bug wrote:
Sorry, but the boondocks are maintained. Do you think that the people who put out forest fires work for free? Do you think that the people who rescue hikers and climbers work for free? I'd bet dollars to donuts (it use to be a good bet) that a he** of a lot more is spent on fire fighting and search and rescue than will ever be collected in user's fees. Sorry but "if you use you pay" is fine with me.

We already pay! It's called taxes!!!!!