Citing double taxation and negative effects on tourism among
other reasons, the San Juan County, Utah, Board of County Commissioners has taken a strong stand
against the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program (Fee Demo) and passed a resolution calling for
its abolition. At a public meeting in Monticello on June 21, the Commissioners also went on record
opposing Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula’s bill, Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (H.R. 3283), which would implement
permanent access fees on all public lands.
San Juan County’s resolution reads in part, "Recreational fees constitute double taxation and bear no relationship to the actual costs of recreation such as hiking, picnicking, observing wildlife, or scenic driving on state and county roads and public rights of way." It goes on to state, "The concept of paying Recreational Fee Demonstration Program Fees to use public lands is contrary to the idea that public lands belong to the American people and are places where everyone is granted access and is welcome, a concept that has been and should remain in place."
The resolution concludes, "Be it Resolved by the Board of Commissioners of San Juan County, that the Board of Commissioners for San Juan County, Utah oppose the legislation known as HR 3283. That the Board of Commissioners strongly recommends that the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program be abolished and Congress restore the funding necessary to manage public land agencies (including operations and maintenance costs) within Utah and that no recreational fees be imposed on federal lands within San Juan County under the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program."
According to County Planner Ed Scherick, San Juan County is 92% public and tribal lands. The federal lands are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, The Forest Service and the Park Service. Fee Demo sites there include Cedar Mesa/Grand Gulch, a backcountry area mostly accessible only on foot or horseback. Since 1999, hikers have been charged $2 per person per day or $8 per overnight trip to enter the remote canyons. The BLM is also considering charging for access to other public lands in San Juan County such as Indian Creek and Dark Canyon Wilderness.