On March 26, Heather Songster was arraigned
in federal court in Arizona for allegedly failing to purchase a Red Rock Pass in
Sedona, Arizona. The Forest Service's prosecution told Songster that she could
face a $5,000 fine with 6 months in jail if she pleaded innocent. The
prosecution also told her that if she pleaded quilty they would reduce the fine to
$21, from $30, and let her pay it gradually over time. Songster plead innocent.
Songster chose not to take the stand in her defense and instead let the prosecution prove its case. The Forest Service opted to have the case dismissed in light of the fact that the Forest Service had no evidence of Songster ever being on the trail in question. The case was dismissed, and Songster left without paying any fine or serving any time.
Members of the Arizona No Fee Coalition attended the trial in support of Songster. "It has become increasingly clear that the Forest Service is relying on intimidation and coercion in order to achieve compliance with what is clearly an unpopular, unjust and environmentally destructive program," said David Sherman of the coalition.
Representative Mary Bono (R-California) reintroduced the
Forest Access Immediate Relief (FAIR) Act (H.R.1139) to the 107th
Congress on March 21. Rep. Capps had introduced this bill previously in the 106th
and the 105th Congress.
The Forest Tax Relief Act would end the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program (Fee Demo) for the Forest Service. It does not affect Fee Demo for the Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, or Fish and Wildlife Service.
Representative Lois Capps (D-California) reintroduced the
Forest Access Immediate Relief (FAIR) Act (H.R.908) to the 107th
Congress on March 7. Rep. Capps had introduced this bill previously in the 106th
Congress.
The FAIR Act would end the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program for the Forest Service and restore Forest Service recreation funds by reallocating tax dollars used to build roads for logging companies to the Forest Service's recreation budget. The FAIR Act would also would require the Secretary of Agriculture to raise the rates for appraisal of timber on Natonal Forest land that is sold to timber companies.
On March 7, 2001, the Board of Commissioners of
Josephine County, Oregon, unanimously approved Resolution No. 2001-15. This
resolution was a Declaration of Opposition to the Northwest Forest Pass
Program.
The resolution reads as follows:
"WHEREAS, Congress authorized the U.S. Forest Service to charge visitors to the Siskiyou and Rogue River National Forests as well as other National Forests within the State of Oregon daily and yearly fees to obtain a permit to park on forest land and to issue citations for the failure to obtain such permits; and
WHEREAS, the Northwest Forest Pass Program charges $5.00 per day or $30.00 per year for individuals to park their vehicles within the National Forest when they hike or camp in the forest; and
WHEREAS, the Northwest Forest Pass constitues double taxation which bears no relation to the actual cost of many types of passive recreation such as hiking, picknicking, or observing wildlife; and
WHEREAS, while the original intent of the Northwest Forest Pass Program was to generate revenue to maintain recreational facilities and enhance visitor services, it limits public access and garners strong criticism from forest users, and we are concerned that some citizens may be deterred from visiting and enjoying our National Forests; and
WHEREAS, while the controversy over the Northwest Forest Pass continues, the core issue of providing adequate funding for forest maintenance remains unresolved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Josephine County Board of Commissioners hereby requests an end to the Forest Service's Northwest Forest Pass Program and supports unrestricted access to public lands.
DONE and DATED this 7th day of March, 2001."