Fee-Demo has the ominous potential to transform recreational management of public lands so that those activities with the highest potential for revenue generation will be promoted over other uses. High impact recreation increases noise, air, and water pollution, compromises endangered species, destroys habitats, and reduces the USFS and BLM managers' ability to focus on crucial restoration of watersheds and fish habitat, damaged forests, and endangered ecosystems. The act of paying fundamentally alters the way one relates to the outdoors. Fees will keep poorer Americans from enjoying public visitor centers, parks, etc.
Commercialism is virtually inescapable except on undeveloped public lands.
The taxes we pay subsidize loggers, miners and grazers who destroy our lands when those dollars should be used to maintain public lands for our enjoyment. The federal government has a trillion dollar surplus. Over 100 environmental organizations, including The Sierra Club, oppose Fee-Demo. Outdoor recreation organizations oppose it. The State of California Legislature voted to end Fee-Demo.