The following was recently printed in the San Bernardino County Sun newspaper regarding the plan to impose user fees in certain areas of the California High Desert:
Monday, August 18, 2003 – BARSTOW – Facing strong criticism from off-road vehicle groups, a federal agency is taking another look at a plan to impose use fees at four popular recreation sites in the High Desert.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has shelved an Oct. 1 starting date for the fees, saying it continues to evaluate a plan to charge $20 for a weekly pass or $60 for an annual pass to cover costs of law enforcement, emergency medical aid and site maintenance.
“We have not reached a final decision on fees whether they will be imposed or when,” said Stephen Razo , director of external affairs for the bureau’s California Desert District, in Riverside.
He said a draft plan establishing potential fees to help recoup a $2.5 million deficit in its recreation program is being reviewed by legislators and off-road vehicle groups.
The bureau’s Aug. 5 announcement on the fee program sparked an angry response from off-road vehicle buffs who said green sticker registration fees already pay for bureau services at the recreation sites.
“I told the bureau that I’ve quit working with them (on off-road issues),” said Ed Waldheim, president of the California Off-Road Vehicle Association. “We don’t need these fees since there are grants to help augment their budget.
“(This fee proposal) is a rip-off and a lot of people won’t pay it. “They will boycott it … (or) move into limited-use areas.”
Michelle Cassella, vice president of District 37 of the American Motorcyclist Association, said many members of the group intend to fight the proposal the first recreational use fees for off-roaders in this area.
“We’re not happy, but we don’t want to stir a conflict in the desert,” she said. “However, they’re screwing us there’s no other way to say it.” Linda Hansen, the bureau’s district manager, said the bureau’s Aug. 5 press release about plans to impose the fees Oct. 1 was “intended to inform the public that the BLM remains on track in keeping users of public lands informed as to the progress of these plans.”
“The BLM is working with off-highway vehicle interests, government officials and the public concerning final program decisions,” she said.
Razo said Congress authorized the bureau to initiate the fee program in 1996 to keep pace with rising costs to manage recreation sites. “Our draft plan is being reviewed by users … (and) we will hold briefings for members of Congress,” Razo explained.
Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, whose district includes much of the High Desert, favors similar fees by the U.S. Forest Service.
“He conditionally supports the Forest Service’s Adventure Pass if 95 percent of the money raised is used within the national forest where it is collected,” Lewis spokesman Jim Specht said.
“Similarly, Rep. Lewis wants a guarantee that money from bureau fees would go for improvements and services within areas where it is collected.”
Waldheim expressed delight that the bureau is taking another look at the fees. “They recognize the proposal is premature, and that they need to work with constituents before moving ahead with this,” he said.
Fees should not be used for law enforcement at recreation areas, Waldheim said. “Congress needs to up the amount of money for law enforcement,” he said. “And we don’t need visitor services.
“The BLM has been negligent in doing its job (to benefit visitors) and now wants to cover its inefficiencies and lack of proper management by charging fees.”
He and Cassella claim bureau officials promised to seek suggestions from off-road groups before setting a fee, but went ahead without asking for ideas.
Nearly 500,000 off-highway vehicle enthusiasts ride motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles at five High Desert recreation sites yearly, said Mike Ahrens, the bureau’s off-road coordinator in Barstow.
After the bureau announced plans to impose the fees, he said, “Nobody wants to have to pay for something they’ve gotten free before. But we can’t provide services for visitors without additional money. We’ve never had funds to provide adequate services.”
The fees would be used only to cover costs, he said.
The four recreation areas where fees are under consideration are:
Dumont Dunes, a 10,000-acre area 30 miles north of Baker. It attracts 120,000 visitors annually.
Johnson Valley, at 188,000 acres, the world’s largest area designated for off-road vehicle activities. Forty miles south of Barstow, it draws 90,000 people yearly.
Stoddard Valley, 12 miles south of Barstow, contains 53,000 acres and attracts 80,000 annual visitors.
El Mirage, 15 miles west of Adelanto, is 25,000 acres and is visited by 124,000 people yearly.
No fees would be charged at the 22,000-acre Rasor [riding area].
