Tonto NF Recreation Sustainability Open Houses

[Sredfield]

Tonto NF is holding a series of open houses seeking public input around the Forest. I went to the one tonight. The issue is declining budgets and increasing demand for recreation services on the forest. They list four options, and seek input on them or other options. Options are: Increase Fees, Reduce Services, Increase Concessionaires, Increase Partnerships. I was there from 6-7:30, I think anyone showing up will be heard, 8 people had signed in when I left. The district Rangers were there as well as some senior managers from the Supervisor's office.

Personal plug: I urge everyone to participate and to come out strong against increased Concessions. These companies come in, strip the crown jewels from the agency, increase fees, and take the revenue. If we want the services and Congress doesn't allocate money to pay for them, the support has to come from somewhere, either increased user fees or increased "in-kind" support from users. I prefer the latter, but it takes some effort to develop this level of support--what user group is going to go out and clean bathrooms?

See: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/new ... RDB5403651

$.02

[chumley]

Options are: Increase Fees, Reduce Services, Increase Concessionaires, Increase Partnerships.

Since I work for a government agency and witness this firsthand on a daily basis, I'm always intrigued that one of the options is never to "Increase Efficiency" or "Reduce Costs"