Recently, High Country News published an article
critical of the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program (HCN,
1/19/04). The article overlooks program benefits and neglects key
improvements that address problems that surfaced in the early years
of the program.
Since 1985, recreation demand has
increased approximately 65 percent on BLM lands and 80 percent at
national wildlife refuges. Over the same time period, the Bureau of
Reclamation estimates an increase of 10 million recreation visits,
for a total of 90 million visits to its 288 lakes.
With
this increase in visitation is an increase in visitor demand for
better visitor facilities and services. This increase in visitor
use also creates a greater need for funds to protect natural and
cultural resources. Tax dollars supply basic services and resource
protections. But many recreation amenities provide special benefits
to those using them — and carry price tags that go beyond
what tax dollars can realistically supply.
Despite a few
missteps at the outset of the program, land managers now
selectively apply fees only where they are providing clear and
direct benefits to users. Development at all sites must occur
within the established agency planning processes that involve
public participation and environmental assessment.
The
federal government is not divesting itself of these important
natural resource assets nor turning the management of these assets
over to private parties. Indeed, additional fee revenue can make
continued public management more viable.
Lynn
Scarlett and Mark Rey
Washington, D.C.
Lynn Scarlett is an assistant secretary at the Interior Department. Mark Rey is an under secretary at the Agriculture Department.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline User fees help land managers.
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