[pct-l] backcountry fees

[Ken Marlow <kmarlow@ngs.org>]

Form: Memo
Text: (15 lines follow)
Alan was discussing his costs for hiking in the Grand Canyon. Man, this is =
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unreal!!! I used to work as a Seasonal Law Enforcement Ranger (and fee =
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collector) for the National Park System. We've all seen the fees continue t=
o =
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steadily increase. One could argue that if car campers are having to pay fo=
r =
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camping on the rim, why shouldn't we. But that still doesn't justify this =
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leader fee, and frankly, the NPS is pricing the public out of the parks. I =
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recall when charging entrance fees were controversial for this very reason.=
 =
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Now they're socking it to us twice!? What kind of screwed-up federal policy=
 =
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allows double-dipping in the National Parks, to view our national =
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treasurers, but no fees to be collected at Smithsonian museums? I used to =
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have the highest respect for the N.P.S., only disagreeing on their de facto=
 =
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middle-of-the-road stance visitation policy in high-use areas vs. =
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preservation. Yes, enjoyment of wilderness will soon be only for the elitis=
t =
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(as we have been tagged by the RV and OHV crowds), for those seeking =
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solitude from motor vehicles, and those with the Hefty wallet to do so.
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