F/S to raise entrance fee to AF canyon

[Skylinerider]

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/235408/4/

They want to double the fee.

 

[Greg]

Remember when it was free... Perhaps the steeper rates will cause less people to use the canyon, that place is a Zoo on the weekends. The improvements from the original $3 fee were quite visable, it'll be interesting to see what they'll do with 2x the money.

 

[Brett]

I'm sorry, but if people are going to whine about spending an extra 3 dollars on the entrance fee, they shouldn't even be out driving and wasting gas.

EDIT: I guess I should say that I think that it's a good idea, if they do use the money towards maintenance as Greg said. The canyon really is over used sometimes, with as many people as I've seen up there. If it does thin out the number of users, that'll be better for impact on the canyon.

 

[Skylinerider]

I definately think less people will use the canyon. I personally don't use it now, but I know a lot of folks on here use it quite a bit now, will that change if they raise the price?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I personally don't mind paying double...

I didn't read that article, but I read one a week or so ago that quoted some gal saying that they would no longer go up there if the fee was doubled.... I though to myself... good, then tripple it!

 

[Skylinerider]

I didn't read that article, but I read one a week or so ago .....

Probably the same article, I've been away from the computer for a few days.

 

[Greg]

I personally don't mind paying double...

I didn't read that article, but I read one a week or so ago that quoted some gal saying that they would no longer go up there if the fee was doubled.... I though to myself... good, then tripple it!

Agreed... If I lived closer, I'd happily pony up for the yearly pass after the increase to $45. It was money well spent.

 

[crimsonride]

I personally don't mind paying double...

I didn't read that article, but I read one a week or so ago that quoted some gal saying that they would no longer go up there if the fee was doubled.... I though to myself... good, then tripple it!

I second that.

 

[Meat_]

I saw this coming after their budget got slashed.

When they first started charging I swore that I'd never go up there..... I use it more now than I ever did when it was free.

 

[scoutabout]

I've been a proponent of the increase. They want to make all the local fee demo programs charge the same price. I really doubt that the increase will reduce the number of visitors by very much. Some people will complain, but they'll still pay the $6. If it was raised to $15 for a 3-day pass, then that might affect the numbers.

I was talking to the fee demo program manager and a few other district employees over the weekend in a social setting, and I asked about the increase. They are hoping that they can put more money into enforcement and maintenance in the north fork OHV area with the new income.

 

[CJJ92yj]

I rarely used it when it was free either. $6 is nothing to complain about if you ask me. But then again, every time I have been up there this year I haven't had to pay the entrance fee. Sweat labor though.

 

[Stephen]

What?!?! They want to increase the fee to enter the canyon? Preposterous! I'll never pay! It's a government conspiracy I say!
Personally I'm a huge fan of the fee hike. The FS needs the money and, like every one has said, it may deter some people. I would be more of a fan if they raised the fee to an even amount like $10.

 

[Seth]

When i grew up snowboarding we spent between $500 and $1100 for a season pass. I look at public lands in much the same way. Maybe not to the full extent of private entity cost but if you use it you need to pay for it.

Maybe next we can get the state to base education taxes on the number of kinds you have in the system.

 

[Brian P]

Doubling it sounds like a good idea and like above if it goes for local help so much the better