Forest User Fees

Big government, the American Recreation Coalition, big business and lobbyists for lumber, ranching and mining companies are not only stealing your public lands but they are going to make you pay twice as much for it in federal taxes plus charging you to park on your land.

Why don’t they charge more for the resources they sell? A rancher can graze and water a cow and her calf on your land for about $1.50 a month. Can you feed and water your pet cat for that?

The federal government must sell public land on which minerals are found to private corporations for $2.50 to $5 an acre, and under an 1872 mining law they are not required to pay any royalties. So between January 1995 and April 1997 the federal government sold 3,200 acres containing an estimated $5.9 billion in gold for $12,183.

Now you know the real reason why they want you to pay $5 a day or $30 a year to park and make use of your own land. If you don’t think this is right, write or call your congressman and tell him you’re mad as hell!

MIKE PURDY, Ojai