HCR 23 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
2001 SESSION
04/01
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 23
A RESOLUTION urging Congress to abolish the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program on public lands including the White Mountain National Forest.
SPONSORS: Rep. Teschner, Graf 5; Rep. Chandler, Carr 1; Rep. R. Cooney, Rock 26; Rep. Alger, Graf 9; Rep. Wall, Straf 9; Sen. Gordon, Dist 2; Sen. Below, Dist 5; Sen. Johnson, Dist 3; Sen. Burns, Dist 1; Sen. Disnard, Dist 8
This house concurrent resolution urges the Congress to abolish the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program and permit the citizens of New Hampshire to enjoy national forests without payment of a fee.
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01-2279
04/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand One
A RESOLUTION urging Congress to abolish the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program on public lands including the White Mountain National Forest.
Whereas, in 1996 Congress passed the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 1996 that included a rider creating the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program; and
Whereas, the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program requires citizens of New Hampshire to pay to park in the White Mountain National Forest; and
Whereas, citizens of New Hampshire already pay federal income taxes that should adequately fund the operation and maintenance of national forests; and
Whereas, the federal government has failed in its commitment to New Hampshire citizens to fully fund payments in lieu of taxes for acquired federal lands; and
Whereas, the fee constitutes a regressive tax that bears no relation to the actual costs of recreation including hiking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, wildlife observation, or picknicking; and
Whereas, the parking fees deny limited-income citizens access to public lands and inhibit volunteerism and stewardship of public lands; and
Whereas, the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program has undermined the longstanding goodwill between the White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire citizens and communities; and
Whereas, the traditional support of New Hampshire citizens for activities such as trail maintenance and fire safety have been compromised; and
Whereas, fees are now required to gain access to areas that are unimproved and undeveloped; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the United States Congress is respectfully urged to abolish the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program and permit citizens of New Hampshire to enjoy the national forests without payment of a fee; and
That a copy of this resolution shall be sent by the house clerk to the President of the United States, the Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.