On April 21 at 9 AM, Terry Dahl appeared in U.S.
District Court in Santa Barbara before a U.S. Magistrate for failure to purchase or
display an Adventure Pass (Southern California's Forest Service Recreation Fee Demonstration
Program project). Mr. Dahl had received 9 Notices of Noncompliance from
the Forest Service for failing to comply with the Adventure Pass program in the Los
Padres National Forest. The Forest Service alleged that Mr. Dahl used the Santa
Barbara backcountry for recreation without paying for an Adventure Pass.
Mr. Dahl also received a letter from the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement office in San Bernardino a couple of months ago offering him a deal: if he bought an Adventure Pass, they would drop the charges. He did not respond.
There were two citations addressed at the hearing. The first citation, issued for multiple offenses (failure to pay the recreation fee nine times), was dismissed. The second citation, for failure to pay the recreation fee a tenth time, was upheld by the court. Mr. Dahl pled not guilty and stated that: he was protesting not recreating, the fee is part of a demonstration program, not permanent law, and the Forest Service had written a letter stating protesters do not have to purchase an Adventure Pass.
Mr. Dahl asked to have his case transferred to the Federal Court in Los Angeles. This request was granted. The U. S. Attorney stated it will be at least 2 months or longer before the case can be heard.
During the proceedings the U.S. Attorney wanted it noted in the Court record that protesters have been harrassing Forest Service personnel, and asked the U.S. Magistrate to warn anyone present supporting Mr. Dahl to stop such harrassment. Mr. Dahl asked that his strong objection be made part of the Court record as he was not in contact with anyone harrassing Forest Service Personnel. The U.S. Magistrate stated his court was not to be a forum for this subject. The magistrate's statements were not made in reaction to any events that took place in his court room that morning.