Taxing the Public to Use PUBLIC Land

Filed in archive Rants on January 21, 2008

Taxation without representation

The BLM, at a time when more and more movements to eliminate existing fees to use our PUBLIC land in the ISDRA (Glamis, Gordon Wells, Buttercup, etc) are beginning to take hold, is set to INCREASE the fees to the dunes. Again.

Starting next year, there will be a tax, err, I mean surcharge for people that don't buy their "passes" prior to going to the dunes.

That's right, they're going to charge you MORE for your admission to the PUBLIC land which, if you haven't figured out by now, should be FREE since we already pay for our PUBLIC land via income taxes if you buy your pass on site.

Why? Obviously they want more money.

What are they claiming are the reasons for the fee INCREASE? Congestion at the purchase points.

Seems to me if they weren't forcing people to stop and PAY A FEE TO USE PUBLIC LAND, they wouldn't have congestion at the entrances.

Fee Program Changes Upcoming for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2008/january/CDDNews0819_isdra_fee_changes.html
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces two major changes in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) fee program for the 2008/2009 season.

First, BLM will soon be soliciting bids for administration of the fee program for the next season and beyond. The agency hopes to complete the process by early spring to ensure a seamless transition over the summer. Parties interested in bidding on this contract should visit the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fbo.gov .

The second change impacts recreation fees in the ISDRA. Despite the convenience of fee payment through the internet, via phone, at sand shows, and from vendors, the majority of visitors still wait to purchase permits after arriving at the recreation area. This results in unnecessary traffic and diminishes the recreational experience for the visitors. The BLM and ISDRA Technical Review Team (TRT) have developed a two tier plan to encourage permit pre-purchasing.

During the 2008/2009 season, dunes permits will remain at the same price if purchased off-site. Permits will continue to be $25 per week or $90 per season if purchased at a vendor outside the ISDRA, over the internet, over the phone, or at an off-highway vehicle (OHV) show. If a visitor chooses to purchase a permit upon arrival in the ISDRA, the cost will be $40 per week or $120 per season. This on-site adjustment will allow additional revenues to be allocated towards ever increasing recreation area expenses. The on-site adjustment is also in-line with fees at other BLM recreation areas such as Dumont Dunes, CA, Sand Mtn., NV, and St. Anthony Dunes, ID.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to keep updated on changes by visiting: www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra.html and www.isdratrt.org .

The ISDRA, managed by the BLM and located in southeastern California, provides a world class recreation opportunity. Unmatched in popularity, the ISDRA receives over one million OHV visitors each year between October and May. To address the needs of the visitors, the majority of the management is funded through fees collected in the ISDRA. The majority of fees collected are allocated for law enforcement, emergency medical services, and facility maintenance.

The management of the fee program in the Dunes is administered in close coordination with the Dunes TRT. The TRT is a panel of concerned citizens who represent local counties, commercial businesses, and OHV recreationists. The TRT provides recommendations to the BLM on the allocations of funds from the fee program and have been responsible for many of the positive changes in the ISDRA.