Omnibus bill gets USFS "fee demo" snuck in (h.r. 3283)

[Robb]

(one of many stories out there, an even better one, albeit biased, in the Vail Trail.)

(snip)

A rider on a massive budget bill Congress passed Saturday contains new rules on when money can be collected for public use of national lands.

(snip)


Ralph Regula, R-Ohio, who drew up the original law that created the Adventure Pass, also wrote the current bill. Since both laws were attached as riders, they have never been discussed on the floor of the House or Senate.

(snip)

Some worry that giving the Forest Service the authority to charge fees only in more-developed areas will encourage the cash-strapped agency to build in places that are now wild.


Robb's note: Regula has no public lands in his district.