The US Forest Service has lost an important court case on public land fees. The case involves a Sedona backpacker who questioned whether hikers, horse riders and others must buy a pass to visit much of the unimproved 160,000 acre forest surrounding Sedona.
The Arizona Daily Sun reports that the case is important because it calls into question the legality of charging someone a fee to use a wilderness area or unimproved trailhead in more than 90 other Forest Service areas nationwide. It also opens the door for others to ask that some pass citations be dismissed.
The Judge’s ruling says that the Forest Service can legally require passes and collect fees in areas with improvements—like restrooms, picnic tables, parking spots or trash collection—but it can’t require someone to have a pass just to visit an unimproved trailhead or a wilderness.
No comments:
Post a Comment