In the ongoing battle over fees for use of public lands, another crack has appeared in the fee system. Under the original "Fee Demo" program which was in effect from 1996 through 2004, federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service could charge for parking at trailheads and other undeveloped areas. In areas such as Arizona's Redrock Country on the Coconino National Forest, and in the Pacific Northwest, the Forest Service got used to collecting such parking fees.
The permanent law that replaced Fee Demo, the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, requires six amenities (permanent toilet, picnic tables, permanent trash receptacle, developed parking, interpretive signs, and security services) to be present at sites before fees can be charged. The Forest Service has ignored the law.
The court decision in Arizona forced the Forest Service there to stop charging for undeveloped trailheads and parking. In the Pacific Northwest, a backpacker parked at a trailhead without the specified amenities and was cited. He decided to contest the violation. The Forest Service, clearly aware that a court decision in favor of the hiker would derail their entire illegal parking fee system, dropped the charges.
Come on, U.S. Forest Service- this isn't rocket science! Just obey the law.
For more information, http://westernslopenofee.org/index2.php?display=yes&pageid=36
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