We must organize to save access to our lakes!!!!! - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

04-04-2003, 07:34 AM

This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land

We all assume that this song rings true for today, tomorrow and for our children’s tomorrows. If you have been to a Corp of Engineer Lake or Forest Service Lands recently you will find that this is changing. Americans are now being charged to enter our public lands, and the proceeds appear to go primarily to governing bodies and private entities for law enforcement that ultimately keeps these fees and access licenses in check.

Can you remember when going out to the State Park or Corp Lake meant getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Do you enjoy going out to enjoy the undeveloped natural setting that these lands offer? Well that’s too bad, because your government has adopted new policies that are privatizing and commercializing the shorelines and public parks that your tax dollars built.

Your government has targeted these public lands and waterways as "Reservoirs of Opportunity", which ultimately employ commercialization and privatization schemes aimed at setting up profit centers that implement a new "pay for play" philosophy. Some of the programs are dubbed: FEE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(s), RECREATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES, and RECREATION AREA MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS.

ANOTHER MORE SUBTLE METHOD they are using to give away your rights to these lands is through "lease arrangements". These new leases ultimately circumvent our public law that dictates these lands are open to all Americans equally. These leases DONOT HONOR the GOLDEN ACCESS, GOLDEN AGE, or ANNUAL CORP PASS PROGRAMS. These lease arrangements allow entities to charge whatever they feel is reasonable without any formal approval process. The "real estate" laws also sidestep public law and allow for DISCRIMINATORY PRICING, which they call "differential pricing".

The lease arrangements allow for commercial development of our wilderness and shorelines. These developments include clearing away the natural habitat to replace it with hotels, concessions, ball - parks, and other urban activities - And all with a price tag.

North Texas

Grapevine Lake: Gaylord Entertainment partners with Corp of Engineers and City of Grapevine to build a monstrosity of a hotel right on the shoreline of Grapevine Lake. The public boat launch on that cove is closed. The proceeds go back into the General Fund of the Treasury – and do not help with upkeep dollars for the lake.

City of Grapevine, City of Trophy Club, and Marinas International assumed leases of ALL the boat launches, parks and campsites on the south side of the lake LIMITING ACCESS and INCREASING FEES. Fees for launching a boat are increased to 300% of previous Corp of Engineer fees. The new fee schedule DISCRIMINATES against non-residents by charging inflated access fees. Annual Corp of Engineers Passes, Golden Age Passes, and Golden Access Passes - NOT HONORED. Plans are to build concessions, ballparks and other services that are not needed on the shoreline. We can expect another price tag for entering the parks to follow.

Lewisville Lake: The City of Lewisville, City of the Colony, City of Highland Village, City of Hickory Creek, City of Oak Point, City of Little Elm, Pier 121 Marina,

Assumed over 75% of the lakes boat launch and park operations. They have INCREASED FEES, and most of them are DISCRIMINATING against non-residents by charging inflated access fees. Annual Corp of Engineers access passes are NOT HONORED.

Joe Pool Lake: City of Grand Prairie assumes boat launch leases and INCREASE FEES by as much as 333%. DISCRIMINATES against non-residents by charging inflated access fees. Annual Corp of Engineer Passes - NOT HONORED.

Keep Posted as more information comes in about these other lakes that are slotted for development and commercialization: THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG!

Lake Sakakawea, ND
Rathburn Lake, IA
Lavon Lake, TX

Conchas Lake, NM
Perry Lake, KS
Bardwell Lake, TX

Fort Peck Lake, MT
Lake Cumberland, KY
Center Hill Lake, TN

Kinzua Lake, PA
Raystown Lake, PA
Lake Lanier, GA

Lake Kaweah, CA
Kaskaskia River Watershed
Skiatook Lake, Oklahoma

Youghiogheny River Lake, PA
Lake Ouachita, AR

Check out: wildwilderness.com or freeourforests.org

Greg Billingsly
Citizens Against Recreation Privatization
1217 Woodsey Court, Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 808-8970

toejam · 11-03-2003, 07:59 PM

The way I understand it, the fees don't pay for their own collection costs. They are just an effort to get the public used to the idea of paying to play in areas we own already.

11-04-2003, 07:38 AM

You are absolutely right toejam!! The privatization, commercialization, and commodification of our commons is being implemented at a rapid pace with today's republican administration. Here in Texas, even the roadways are up for grabs!!

(i recently heard in the radio that gov. perry just signed into law a strategy that allows tollway developers to put tollways onto the footprint of current highways)

I cant financially afford to launch my fishing boat with the new policies and fees, next year I hope i can still afford to drive the highways.

11-04-2003, 07:40 AM

If you are interested in getting updates regarding privatization issues please send me your e-mail request to be included in:

CARP
Citizens Against Recreation Privatization

Greg Billingsly
gbillingsly@netzero.net

copuswalker · 11-04-2003, 11:40 AM

You need to post this on backpacker.com
That way I can sit back and watch the fireworks show.
It would be interesting to hear different views.
I agree with much of what you say but have not educated myself enough. I can be lazy and watch if you choose to post it there?

Many thanks for your efforts.

P.S. I would post on the southwest section. The trailhead register gets buried with new subjects.

11-04-2003, 04:39 PM

Done - let's watch the fireworks!!!

Shannon · 11-10-2003, 07:22 PM

How's that Backpacker.com response going?

copuswalker · 11-13-2003, 03:41 PM

I was very disappointed. It died a rather uneventful death. I would have bet the house on all sorts of conflicting opinions. Guess these hikers are born of the same mold?:confused:

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