Forest Officials Announce Fee-free Weekend
In recognition of America’s military veterans, Los Padres National Forest officials have announced that Friday through Sunday will be a “Fee Free” weekend in honor of Veterans’ Day. A National Forest Adventure Pass will not be required for visitors recreating this weekend in all areas of Los Padres except for the Santa Barbara Ranger District’s Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area, where an Adventure Pass will still be required.
“Each year on Veterans’ Day, the Los Padres and all national forests acknowledge the heroism of the veterans of our Armed Forces,” said Los Padres National Forest supervisor Peggy Hernandez. “This year we are pleased to offer fee-free throughout the weekend. This gives the public the chance to enjoy the natural treasures of our forest, and take time to reflect on the sacrifices of our past and present service members.”
“Fee Free” days are offered each year on National Trails Day, Back to School season, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans’ Day. The “Fee Free” days are observed throughout Southern California on Los Padres, San Bernardino, Angeles, and Cleveland national forests.
Visitors who inadvertently commit a Daily Adventure Pass this weekend can have it replaced free of charge. Visitors are reminded that even though the Adventure Pass fee will be waived this weekend, other fees such as campground, reservation and group site fees may still be applicable.
For more information call the Ojai Ranger District at 646-4348
Thank the politicians who accept bribes – oops! I mean campaign contributions – for the continuance of this allowing oil companies (and others) to plunder the natural, unreplaceable resources of the very planet we must live on. Perhaps this is why Billions of our tax dollar$ are spent on space exploration. Meanwhile they allow immigrants from war torn countries to flood the USA by the tens of thousands and we the taxpayer gets to support them for years. Research that – if you’re interested. Assuming this sentance gets published…
Our government spends $1.2 trillion every year on war mongering, mostly to prop up the earth destroying fossil fuel industries. If we actually paid the true cost of gasoline at the pump, instead of with hidden costs like this ridiculous National Forest Adventure Pass fee, it would cost close to $15.00 a gallon.
So why aren’t we using biobutanol made from algae? Oh, that’s right, the fossil fuel industries continue to squash any attempt to end their energy monopoly. They continue to lead us down dead ends like ethanol produced with heavily subsidized food crops, or the promise of hydrogen cars that, strangely, are always exactly 10 years away from mass production.
Winter and the holidays are coming. Are you ready for more price hikes blamed on anything other than pure greed?
I am strong-minded. I broke a wing long ago and cannot soar above the area anymore. My sadness is with me because of what has happened to our Mother Earth and this so called ownership of the land upon which we all need for basic survival
Don’t be sad Condor! Learn the law! Most of our PUBLIC LAND is still free, though the FS would have you believe that you must pay them! THe FS wants us to think we are visitors to land they own, when the land has been entrusted to all of us and we sure don’t need the FS disneyfing it! Next time you encounter one of these FS rangers let them know how much you disapprove of being charged money by them when our taxes already pay plenty for the land. Then you’ll get a load of steamy defication from them, but stay strong and true and know your rights!
Thank’s Rich, you nailed it. The Adventure Pass fee is a joke, case closed. Those of you who choose to continue paying for the pass are of course welcome to do so. Larry of Oak View, you are hilarious.
Once upon a time… there was land which was one could walk, hike, hunt, fish, camp and enjoy – all for FREE! Can you imagine – I say?
Of course that back in the ‘olde days’ and few people can remember. As I tell this story, the litlle ones sit quietly, entranced that the idea and concept of ‘free’ ever existed.
Folks we all have rules to follow and so does the forest service. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (FLERA) is PUBLIIC LAW that the forest service hopes we all never read because we will all know how the FS,BLM, and USDA is breaking the law! These criminals should all be thrown in JAIL for stealing and lying to the public. DO NOT PURCHASE ONE OF THESE adventura passes and the ‘tickets’ they give you will not land you in jail or even get you a fine. It’s called a ‘certificate of non-compliance’ and you should toss it in the recycle bin! Please look up the law for yourself(http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/16C87.txt), but below are the key areas of the law that extremely limit where the FS,BLM,USDA officals can legally charge a fee. Don’t buy their ‘HIRA’ argument as the law says nothing about a HIRA and it’s a lie the FS tries to use to get you to pay! Congress wrote this part of the law specifically so the public would not get ripped off on the land they own. And now the the FS,BLM, and USDA are doing just that! Don’t get taken by these money hungry people! Learn the law!
FROM FLERA:
(d) Limitations on recreation fees
(1) Prohibition on fees for certain activities or services
The Secretary shall not charge any standard amenity recreation
fee or expanded amenity recreation fee for Federal recreational
lands and waters administered by the Bureau of Land Management,
the Forest Service, or the Bureau of Reclamation under this
chapter for any of the following:
(A) Solely for parking, undesignated parking, or picnicking
along roads or trailsides.
(B) For general access unless specifically authorized under
this section.
(C) For dispersed areas with low or no investment unless
specifically authorized under this section.
(D) For persons who are driving through, walking through,
boating through, horseback riding through, or hiking through
Federal recreational lands and waters without using the
facilities and services.
(E) For camping at undeveloped sites that do not provide a
minimum number of facilities and services as described in
subsection (g)(2)(A).
(F) For use of overlooks or scenic pullouts.
(G) For travel by private, noncommercial vehicle over any
national parkway or any road or highway established as a part
of the Federal-aid System, as defined in section 101 of title
23, which is commonly used by the public as a means of travel
between two places either or both of which are outside any unit
or area at which recreation fees are charged under this
chapter.
(H) For travel by private, noncommercial vehicle, boat, or
aircraft over any road or highway, waterway, or airway to any
land in which such person has any property right if such land
is within any unit or area at which recreation fees are charged
under this chapter.
(I) For any person who has a right of access for hunting or
fishing privileges under a specific provision of law or treaty.
(J) For any person who is engaged in the conduct of official
Federal, State, Tribal, or local government business.
(K) For special attention or extra services necessary to meet
the needs of the disabled.
(f) Standard amenity recreation fee
Except as limited by subsection (d), the Secretary may charge a
standard amenity recreation fee for Federal recreational lands and
waters under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, the
Bureau of Reclamation, or the Forest Service, but only at the
following:
(1) A National Conservation Area.
(2) A National Volcanic Monument.
(3) A destination visitor or interpretive center that provides
a broad range of interpretive services, programs, and media.
(4) An area –
(A) that provides significant opportunities for outdoor
recreation;
(B) that has substantial Federal investments;
(C) where fees can be efficiently collected; and
(D) that contains all of the following amenities:
(i) Designated developed parking.
(ii) A permanent toilet facility.
(iii) A permanent trash receptacle.
(iv) Interpretive sign, exhibit, or kiosk.
(v) Picnic tables.
(vi) Security services.
… Correction: This is nothing but a crappy marketing tactic, just more political smoke and mirror and a cheap co-opting of sentiment.
The Adventure Pass is double taxation. That’s it.
Why drag the veteran’s into it? We’re aware of the sacrifice of the veterans -and it has nothing to do with the USFS and the Department of Agriculture. So, the USFS and the Dept. of Ag., should not try and captalize on the role and sacrifice of veterans.
This is nothing a crappy marketing tactic, more just political smoke and mirrors.
What are you too tight to pay for an adventure pass?
To “This is a joke right?”: Well, Mr. Lucky, unlike you I have gotten a ticket a few times for not having a Forest Pass, by USFS personnel who work for the United States Forest Service. “Forestry Dept.” personnel and DFG wardens do not cite for lack of a Forest Pass, nor does the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
Not to take anything away from the veterans or anything, I just have to comment on how ridiculous this article is. Coming from someone who spends his free time hiking, hunting, and exploring the Los Padres I can tell you that its a waste of money buying a stupid adventure pass in the first place. I run in to Forestry Dept. guys and DFG guys ALL THE TIME and have never once been cited for not having a pass. I refuse to buy one for several reasons that I wont bother explaining right now but I will say that if you buy one of these stupid passes you are just throwing your money away, they dont enforce it, they dont deserve the money, happy veterans day!