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Recreationists, Hunters, Fishermen,
Outdoor Enthusiasts, Forest and Water Users: From Texas to
Virginia & Florida, and a heads up nationwide
April 23, 2005
By Julie Kay Smithson propertyrights@earthlink.net
Please share this with everyone you know who recreates or vacations
anywhere there are forests, water or watersheds -- i.e., to everyone
you know!
South Dakotans, you'll want to read this one through -- trust me,
please!
There are two very interesting maps on pages 30 and 31 of this
31-page .pdf file whose title is SOCIO-6: Forest-Based
Outdoor Recreation.
The 1995 and 2000 Surveys on Recreation and the Environment
(NSRE), conducted by the USDA Forest Service, have been used to
paint a picture of "recreation demand pressure" that can
and is being used to stop public access.
While these two particular surveys and the resultant maps
"only" cover thirteen states, rest assured that other such
surveys and maps exist for the other thirty-seven states.
The first carries the title of: Hotspots of recreation
demand pressure on forests, 2000.
The second is dubbed: Hotspots of recreation demand pressure
on water and watersheds, 2000.
The
colors on the maps are identified by "recreation demand
pressure" as being: Negligible, light,
moderate, moderately heavy,
and heavy.
These
two maps are a "must" for all those who dare to exert
"recreation demand pressure."
What
activities constitute "recreation demand pressure," you
ask? Better sit down -- I didn't make up this list. Your
'friendly' Forest Service did. There are 57 activities on it.
"Recreation
Demand Pressure" Activities
Viewing
or photographing fish
Jet
skiing
Kayaking
Viewing
or photographing wildlife
Day
hiking
Backpacking
Bicycling
Horseback
riding
Coldwater
fishing
Walking
for pleasure
Visiting
nature centers, etc.
Freshwater
fishing
Developed
camping
Driving
off-road
Visiting
prehistoric sites
Family
gathering
Viewing
or photographing birds
Big
game hunting
Warmwater
fishing
Rafting
Swimming
in lakes, rivers, ocean
Picnicking
Canoeing
Migratory
bird hunting
Small
game hunting
Sailing
Saltwater
fishing
Fishing
Primitive
camping
Visiting
historic sites
Motorboating
Rowing
Sightseeing
Waterskiing
Driving
for pleasure
View/photograph
natural scenery
View/photograph
wildlife
View/photograph
flowers, etc.
Visit
the beach
Gather
mushrooms, berries, etc.
Visit
a wilderness
Visit
a waterside besides the beach
View
or photograph fish
Outdoor
team sports
Mountain
biking
Hunting
Horseback
riding on trails
Snorkeling
Downhill
skiing
Rowing
Anadromous
fishing
Scuba
diving
Snowboarding
Surfing
Snowmobiling
Cross-country
skiing
Windsurfing
Gee,
folks! What's left? I believe our 'friendly' Forest Service has
just about covered all the bases under the heading,
"Recreation Demand Pressure." Maybe we're really being
targeted for cities and no fun activities outside, period. Not
even photographing flowers, mind you! Not even "driving for
pleasure" or "viewing" wildlife!
People
are apparently being viewed as really ba-a-a-a-a-d for EVERYTHING.
On
Page Two is this statement: "Recreation access to private
land is increasingly limited to the owners themselves, their
families or friends, or lessees. The number of ... private owners
allowing the public to recreate on their land has been
decreasing."
Sources of above information: Chapter SOCIO-6 Southern Forest
Resource Assessment Draft Report http://www.fs.fed.us/sustain
and
To
my cynical mind, that is a direct slap in the face of private
landowners, who have, by the way, every right to limit access to
their private property.
This
very issue is right now the cause of the SD (South Dakota) Lockout
http://www.sdlockout.com and
is being hotly debated/contested in the South Dakota Legislature --
as South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks http://www.sdgfp.info/Index.htm continues
its assault on private property rights.
By
use of the Open Fields Doctrine, SDGF&P continues to misinform
the public.
Such
statements as: " ... there still appears to be
some confusing and
erroneous information circulating about the Open
Fields Doctrine and its relation to [SD GF&P] policy that
places limits when their employees enter private lands to conduct
compliance checks of hunters and anglers. The Open Fields Doctrine
came about years ago through a series of decisions handed down by
the United States Supreme Court. The Court upheld the principle
that law enforcement officers, including Conservation Officers and
other government agents, may enter privately owned open fields
without permission, probable cause or a warrant in order to
perform their duties as required by the law."
More
information on the "Open Fields Doctrine:"
Fourth
Amendment to the United States Constitution:
Open
Fields Doctrine
Open
Fields and the Future
http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/2005/articles02/open_fields_and_the_future.htm How the National Park Service views recreation and citizens that dare to recreate (excerpt): "What is the most important reason to get involved? Focus on benefits sought. More, faster, now seems to be the formula: all wanting more choice, more diversity, more value, more amenities, more enrichment…. and they want if faster! Used to be “man” versus “the mountain”…Now it is Mom, Dad, family, kids, friends, pets, etc. Everyone is going outdoors. 28% increase of people recreating outdoors monthly. Something for every generation: Healthy older adult population -- will flock to see you. The boomers are hitting prime travel years and expect the size of this population to increase and then drop. Look out those of you in the health care business -- this generation is self-absorbed!!! Gen X-Kids of boomers-appetite for extreme, Gen Y-replacing the greatest & matures, Gen Z-Most diverse generation ever. It is not about whom you look like -- it is about whom you don't look like. Each generation waiting for the other to retire so they can get promoted. Just wait for the future!" Source: http://partnerships2003.nps.gov/session_reports/287.htm |