Oregon Legislature opposes forest fees

At least for now...

Despite a much-disputed claim by the Forest Service that the public supports the unpopular forest user fees, the Oregon Legislature has come out firmly against the fee program.

State Representative Ben Westlund and several others sponsored House Joint Memorial 15, which clearly declares Oregon's opposition to the forest fees.

Westlund, who represents State Representative District 55 -- which includes the Sisters area -- said that the Legislature has made a commitment on this issue.

In describing the purpose of the legislation, he stated that "we are urging Congress to abolish the Northwest Forest Pass portion of the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program."

Among the objections cited by the Legislature were assertions that Oregonians already pay federal income taxes; the fee bears no relation to the costs of the permitted uses; the Northwest Forest Pass represents a "regressive tax" denying limited-income citizens access to public lands; the fees inhibit volunteerism and stewardship of public lands; and the fees are even required to gain access to areas which, in fact, have no improvements to be sustained by the fees.

The resolution concludes with the statement that "The Congress of the United States is respectfully urged to abolish the Northwest Forest Pass portion of the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program and permit the citizens of Oregon to enjoy the national forests in the state without payment of a fee."

Since the fees are imposed by a federal program, the Legislature's bill is advisory only and does not carry the force of law.

However, a copy of the resolution is being sent to President Bush, the Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to each member of the Oregon Congressional Delegation.

The controversial fee program has been a bone of contention ever since the program was rolled out a few years ago.

Opponents say that the fees are not only unfair but they are driving people away from the forest recreation opportunities to which they are entitled.

The Forest Service, on the other hand, has used the fact that some people are buying the passes as proof that the public supports the program; but critics have accused the Forest Service of failing to disclose the negative impacts of the program and the depth of the opposition to it.