Are you willing to pay a small fee to use 4x4 trails you use?

[gonzo]

A few years ago they closed one of the most highly used areas of 4x4 vehicles in Arizona.  It was around the Lower Salt River area around Stewart Mt. Dam.  After a few months (it might have been a couple of years) it was opened again, but users of this area were required to get a permit to use it.  The primary 4x4 areas were not included in the useable area of the newly opened area.  The entire area could be used unrestricted by hikers and horse back riders, but motorized vehicles were permitted on marked trails only.  I got a chance to go back to the areas that were heavily use by four wheelers in the past.  The areas were torn up very severely.  Trees and bushes were in really bad shape.  The hills were eroding badly.  It was definitly in need of a rest.  If this type of closing happened in your area, would you be willing to pay to use it, if the money was used to help keep the area in good repair?

[Duffil]

yeah, definitely!  It would suck, but if that's how we have to keep trails open, then I guess I'll do it.

[Rocksurfer]

We already have that here and it's growing every year Azusa Canyon, Dumount Dunes, Hungry Valley, (soon to be if not already) Johnson Valley and lots more require day use fee's in California. It's a growing trend and will probably be common-place before long. Gotta pay to play.

[dragr1]

I would definitely pay, wait a minute I always pay here on the east coast.  But regardless, yes I would have no problem with paying.

[Lady Di]

If that is what it takes to have trails to ride on, and we don't pay for places here in FL, but it's not like it's a 4x4 destination but yes, for good trails I would pay.

[79coyotefrg]

its better to spend a few dollars to help maintain the area ,  but yes i would pay a day use fee

[79coyotefrg]

i always carry trash bags in my truck, and i have paid for straw when a area near here was washing bad,   another  guy stopped and helped me spread the straw,  little did i know he worked for the epa

[Lady Di]

except for the national forests we ride in, where you strictly stay to the trails  the only other places there are around her are going to be paved over in the not to distant future anyway, so to have places to go not far north of us that will be maintained and the money will go to keeping wheeling areas open is well worth it.

[Duffil]

i always carry trash bags in my truck, and i have paid for straw when a area near here was washing bad, another guy stopped and helped me spread the straw, little did i know he worked for the epa

that does it, glen! you're an EPA spy aren't you?!   

Really, though, it's not that bad to have to pay, I just think the funds don't go where they are supposed to.  Half the time, there's nobody at the gate, anyway, so most people don't pay.  I think they should set 'em up like a parking garage, or something...you know, put your money in a slot and get a ticket and the gate opens...

[Brandon]

there is a difference between a park and a forest. I won't pay to use my forest but I will and I do pay to use parks. They are not the same and I sure hope they are never treated the same..

apples n oranges duuude

[gonzo]

i always carry trash bags in my truck, and i have paid for straw when a area near here was washing bad, another guy stopped and helped me spread the straw, little did i know he worked for the epa

I use trash bags my self.  I also have a colapseable leaf rake that I bring with when I go camping.  Most of the time I end up cleaning up after others.  It's something I have come to expect.  I always try to leave the camp site in better condition than when I got there.

[gonzo]

that does it, glen! you're an EPA spy aren't you?!

Really, though, it's not that bad to have to pay, I just think the funds don't go where they are supposed to. Half the time, there's nobody at the gate, anyway, so most people don't pay. I think they should set 'em up like a parking garage, or something...you know, put your money in a slot and get a ticket and the gate opens...

for now they have to do it on the "honor" system.  If they had some one there it would cost more to use the area.  I agree a gate system would be good, but what if you had to leave for what ever reason, leaving family/friends for a short while. How do you get back in?

[Rocksurfer]

there is a difference between a park and a forest. I won't pay to use my forest but I will and I do pay to use parks. They are not the same and I sure hope they are never treated the same..

apples n oranges duuude

Sure there is, but usually the park is within the forest boundries and run by the forest service or BLM.

[brainlessfool]

The biggest promblem with a "small fee" is it never stays small for long. 

[BUBBA]

The biggest promblem with a "small fee" is it never stays small for long.

That's true.The use fee for Tellico has always been $5.00 per vehicle per day,or $35 for a yearly sticker.Begining next year use fee will go to either $15 or $20 a day,or $45-$50 per year.This increase is due to government cutbacks.I was told this by a ranger there the last time I was down there.He also said that they were planning on widening the road at the paystation and also building another parking lot.For anyone who's ever been there know's what the parking situation is like,especially when it's busy.As long as improvements are being made I don't mind having to pay,seeing as tellico is the only place to "legally" go wheeling within a reasonable driving distance,besides Beasly Knob orv.

[*FFC*]

I've been sayin for a long time that I'd prefer a yearly fee or something like that for the sake of the trail.  The money raised from charging a fee for trail usage should be put towards maintenance on the trail.

Just my

[RHG]

  Id have no problem paying a fee as long as I seen an improvement.

[*FFC*]

As long as the money goes to benefit the trail and not to some schmeezy whatever they wanna do with it