On March 5, Durango City Council passed
Resolution No. 2002-11. This
resolution requests the federal government to end the Recreational Fee
Demonstration Program (Fee Demo) in the vicinity of Durango, Colorado.
The resolution reads as follows:
"A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE FEE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AND FURTHER REQUESTING NO RECREATIONAL FEE BE IMPOSED ON FEDERAL LANDS UNDER THE RECREATIONAL FEE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM IN THE VICINITY OF DURANGO, COLORADO
WHEREAS, in 1996 Congress authorized the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program, which allows the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to charge visitors daily and yearly fees for recreation on publicly owned land under their management; and
WHEREAS, several Fee Demo programs have actually been implemented in Colorado, including Yankee Boy Basin, Vail Pass, the Gunnison Gorge, Mount Evans, and others; and
WHEREAS, it is reasonablt to expect that the Fee Demo program will be extended to the numerous nearby recreation areas on federal land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on which the economy and prosperity of our city depends; and
WHEREAS, recreational fees constitute double taxation which bears no relationship to the actual costs of recreation such as hiking, picnicking, observing wildlife or scenic driving on roads and; and
WHEREAS, while the original intent of the Fee Demo program was to generate revenue to address maintenance backlogs and enhance visitor services, it has limited public access and garnered strong public criticism; and
WHEREAS, while the controversy over the Fee Demo continues, the core issue of providing adequate funding for public land maintenance remains unresolved; and
WHEREAS, since the purchase of a Fee Demo pass is counted by the federal land management agencies as support of the program, but no means of expressing opposition is provided except to avoid the fee area, we are concerned that some citizens may be deterred from visiting and enjoying the public lands near Durango, Colorado;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Durango, Colorado, hereby reqests that no recreational fees be imposed on Federal lands in our vicinity under the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 5th DAY OF MARCH 2002."