On April 4, 2001, the commissioners of Jackson
County, Oregon approved a resolution against the Northwest Forest Pass Program.
This makes it the second county in Oregon to go on record against the Recreational
Fee Demonstration Program (Fee Demo). Neighboring Josephine County passed an almost identical
resolution on March 7.
The Jackson County resolution came just one day prior to an Oregon House Forestry & Agriculture committee hearing. The committee is considering state Representative Tim Knopp's (R-Bend) proposed Oregon State resolution against Fee Demo.
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 constitutes double taxation which bears no relation to the actual cost of many types of passive recreation such as hiking, picnicking, 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,
The Board of County Commissioners of Jackson County hereby requests to end the Forest Service's Northwest Forest Pass Program and supports unrestricted access to public lands.
Dated this 4th day of April, 2001, at Medford, Oregon.