This page contains links which reveal the true dynamics and intent of those who are behind the Adventure Pass, the Northwest Forest Pass, and the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program that created it. Take a close look at the information presented here, and the meaning it contains.
American Recreation Coalition (ARC) - This is the group that started the whole "Pay-Us-for-Using-Your-Own-Land" issue. Representing the recreation industry, they are trying to drive public policy toward a "pay to play" system. Ultimately, this system could be used to restrict access to most public lands, except on developed properties managed by ARC members. It's membership consists of snowmobile, jetski, and RV manufacturers, oil companies, ski associations, campgrounds, and Disney. Of special interest is their spin-off Recreation Roundtable consisting of recreation industry and media industry CEO's. The ARC and the Recreation Roundtable helped design and implement the Adventure Pass. To get a more detailed look at the ARC's agenda, read an interview with the ARC's President conducted by a reporter for Motor Home Magazine, the journal of the Good Sam Club (a sustaining member of the ARC).
A letter from the Recreation Roundtable referring to the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program as "the direct result of [their] efforts." - This letter was written by the Recreation Roundtable and sent to Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman.
An article by the founder of the ARC bragging about creating the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program - Published on the website of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association, ARC founder Dave Humphreys lists a number of federal program for which the ARC takes credit.
A Forest Service statement recognizing the ARC's involvement in the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program - Published on a website promoting the Forest Service's Northwest Forest Pass, this statement is a rare recognition of the ARC's deep involvement in the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program.
Cost-Share Agreement between the Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition - The USFS provides a conduit of your funds to this private group, bent on you paying to access your land. They foot part of the bill for fee projects so that they can report back to Congress on how people like the program.
Congressional testimony from the ARC outlining its plans to privatize and commercialize public lands - Christine Jourdain, representing both the American Council of Snowmobile Associations and the ARC telling the House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands how they want fees to be implemented on public lands.
Partners Outdoors - Sponsored by the ARC, private corporations, and public lands agencies, Partners Outdoors is an annual meeting where business and government develop plans for public lands management. These meetings are closed to the public.
The Visitor Infrastructure Improvement Act of 1998 - The ARC looked for sponsors for this bill in Congress and found none, but they are still shopping around. This bill is a follow-up to the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program. If made law the act would move the ARC's agenda of privatizing management of recreation on public lands into the final stages.
Congressional testimony from the ARC requesting the creation of a concessions demonstration program - ARC president Derrick Crandall advises Congress on a number of recreation issues including expanding concessions on public lands in order to address the recreation facility backlog by handing over Forest Service campgrounds to private businesses.
Our National Forests Magazine - This magazine bills itself as a private/public partnership. The advertising is almost exclusively from Coleman Company (a sustaining member of the ARC).
The Chair of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee takes responsibility for the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program. - Representative Ralph Regula (R-OH) has been instrumental in pushing the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program. He states this clearly in this article from Our National Forests Magazine.
Political donations of recreation interests. - A good resource for discovering potential fee sympathizers or implementors. Some of the recipients are key Congress members assisting the ARC's agenda. The donors consist of ARC supporting members and Recreation Roundtable members. Follow the money to find the politicians who want to bring you fees.
Senatorial Pressure suggesting privitization of public lands management - A letter to the head of the USFS to show cause why his department shouldn't be down-sized and given over to private concessionaires. Judging from the tone of this letter, there is only One Acceptable Answer!
A statement directly linking the American Recreation Coalition to the implementation of the Forest Service's Recreation Fee Demonstration Program. - This statement comes from the Forest Service's first Recreation Fee Demonstration Program brochure.
Congressional Testimony from the Chief of the Forest Service asking for increased authority to privatize recreation on National Forests - Spoken before the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on February 19, 2004.
Army Corps of Engineers "Recreation Partnership Initiative" - Presented to the ARC's Partnership Outdoors Conference in January, 1999, this document is perhaps the best illustration of the corporate drive to privatize and commercialize public lands and the government's willingness to assist that agenda.
Army Corps of Engineers "Recreation: Value to the Nation" flier. - This document proposes building facilities on Corps lands to increase high-impact recreation such as jet skis and RV campgrounds. The Corps lists the ARC and Disney as partners in this effort.
A letter written by the former Chief of the Forest Service titled "Prohibition Against Displacement of Concessions Based On Recreation Fee Demonstration Project." - In this letter, Michael Dombeck unabashedly orders the support of expanded private sector management of National Forests.
An address from the former Chief of the Forest Service outlining his inability to understand why the Department of Agriculture does not view recreation as a "revenue generator." - Michael Dombeck's address at Ski Industry Week on 12/3/97.
The former Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment's address on the changing terminology of the USFS; how forest visitors became customers. - Spoken by Jim Lyons at Outdoor Recreation Week on 6/8/98 - an event sponsored by the ARC.
The former Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Forest Service's article on branding, marketing, and privatizing outdoor recreation on National Forests - Francis Pandolfi's thoughts on the value of operating recreation on public lands like Procter & Gamble; published in 1999.
The Program Manager for the Forest Service's Office of Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness Resources' address on commodifying wilderness - Floyd Thompson's thoughts on the benefits of marketing Forests to the tourist industry. Spoken at the National Extension Tourism Conference May 17-19, 1998.
The Forest Service's Recreation Agenda - Version 8 of a draft plan emphasizing the Forest Service as a marketing-driven, customer-oriented organization. Within the agenda lies much discussion of increasing reliance on the private sector to provide services. For a quick synopsis, read the Forest Service's America's Wildlands Playground vision.
The Forest Service Enterprise Reinvention Lab - "At this site you will gain an understanding of what government reinvention is all about." And you will learn that it's all about joining with private partners and learning to run government like a business.
The Forest Service's Public/ Private Ventures Desk Guide - Excerpts from the Forest Service management's guidebook for running a recreation facility as a for-profit business.
National Forest Foundation - The official Congressionally-chartered nonprofit partner of the USFS. Check out their successes in increasing recreational opportunities. The formation of this corporation was essential for the ARC's cost-share agreement with the government.
