BACKCOUNTRY TAX FEEASCO the unedited and uncensored edition

[John Quillen]

Our original Backcountry Tax blog on the gosmokies site was moderated by some folks who held an opinion in favor of backcountry fees.  As a result the blog operator, Jigsha Desai made several threats to shut us down but we remained in operation because it was the most popular blog post in the history of that site.  We decided to take our conversation to a place where our message wouldn't be suppressed.  This blog is the result.

Therefore, it is our collective opinion that the Backcountry Fee Proposal put out By Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson and backcountry specialist Melissa Cobern is an egregious reach into the pockets of taxpaying citizens. 

A prominent study proves that access fees restrict use of National Park and forest lands. http://www.westernslopenofee.org/pdfuploads/Fee_Policy_White_Paper.pdf

The primary justification of the backcountry fee proposal made by park administration is campsite overcrowding which was proven false.  Click here for details and statistics to prove this fallacy for exactly what it is.  A federal fee grab.

Park management cozies up to the horse lobby but proposes a tax on  backpackers who are the best citizens of the Great Smoky Mountains.  In fact, Ditmanson recently signed off on a new horse concession smack dab in the middle of Cades Cove.

Recreation.gov is touted as a solution for reservation problems in the backcountry office but this Canadian based company is frought with problems.  72 hour reservations are required for the empty Smokies campsites you will be paying for the privilege of using.  Forget spontaneous weekend outings with the family.  Better pull out the wallet, you are going to pay just to talk to them.

This is not about money for any of us.  We love the Smokies and actually get out there and know the lies being spread by the Sugarlands swashbucklers.  It is a matter of deciding what type of National Park you want.  Should boy scout groups and single mothers and twenty somethings be discouraged from nature because of trumped up justifications for more rangers?  We think not.  Help us stop this double taxation now.  One fee will result in another.  We must make a stand.

(picture courtesy Kittzy Benzar, Western Slope No fee coalition)Follow @SoForestWatch

[steve george]

Us too Gregg.  Thanks.

[Mike Thorpe]

Got my stickers...thanks Gregg, will post some pics once installed :)

[Donna Davis]

Praying for John's safety.

[Myers Morton]

John's gone until August.

Keep him in your prayers.

[Donna Davis]

Greg, the article provided by John is certainly inconsistent with the report you are getting 'first hand' from the AT hikers! Once again.....this is how the public is manipulated by the press, or should I say the 'lies' (unbeknownst to the public) by the powers that be who are reporting to the press. Smooth transition? Really??

[Gregg Bostick]

The spin doctors are working hard.  Wonder how many ranger/backcountry interactions there have been?

I gave a section hiker who was hitching rides back from Damascus on his way to back to Springer a ride earlier this week.  When I asked him what AT hikers thought about buying a ticket to get through the Smokies, he said the sentiment was overwhelmingly, "This sucks!" (His words, not mine). 

He said he was totally unaware of the fee until he arrived to cross into the park, and then purchased his pass at an outfitter...wonder who...and that it was a definite hassle.  He said he avoided shelters at all costs and never ran across a crowded campsite.

"In war, the first casualty is the truth."  Seems the Sugarlands is in full armor....

[John Quillen]

I don't know about a list but here is something that is interesting.  Talk about the new spin doctors at the park HQ

http://www.carolinapublicpress.org/15600/smokies-says-backcountry-f...

[Donna Davis]

Can you get a 'list' of those who have supposedly 'reserved' these sites? 

[John Quillen]

Okay, Wayne (aka slap) just told me that he was at a campsite last weekend that was supposedly booked and no one was there.  This is becoming way to coincidental for my tastes.  Either folks are paying good money and not showing up at campsites throughout the backcountry or the Sugarlands is using the backcountry system to decrease backcountry camping or the new system is messed up beyond repair.  Which is it?  Depends on your bent.  I'm the kind of person who, if required to pay for something, uses it.

Maybe the Sugarlands was right.  This was the easiest money making proposition they ever concocted.  Does rain in the forecast keep folks from going to the backcountry?  It doesn't stop any of my crew or any of my friends.

[Janet Dalton]

Myers,

His name is Andrew, but that's all I know.  He is a frequent user of the backcountry, and a "friend of a friend."  I'll pass your email address on and hope he will contact you.