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Website Updates
Western Oregon Plan Decisions Released. Oregon State Office |
Recreation Fee ProgramWhy Do We Have Fees?Congress recognized that recreation sites across the country had historically been under-funded and as a result were in desperate need of financial assistance to offset the high costs of protecting, operating and maintaining the sites. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (P. L. 108-444), Recreation Fee Program authorized the BLM and other federal agencies to implement innovative fee collection activities at recreation sites across the country in order to offset operations and maintenance costs. 100% of the fees collected at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area stay at the site. Yaquina Head Available Passes (PDF) Which Pass is Best for Me?That depends on where and how often you visit a site. Please see the Pass Choice Table for assistance in determining which will offer you the most play for the least pay in the Northwest. Partnership in ProtectionThe BLM views the Recreation Fee Program as a three-way partnership between the BLM, Congress, and the public. The BLM's role is to keep costs low, Congress will continue to appropriate the funds they find reasonable, and the public is asked to support the fee sites for any budget shortfalls. Public Input and CommentsIn July and August of 2003, a visitor survey was conducted at Yaquina Head that surveyed almost 400 visitors. Five questions were asked that pertained to entrance fees. 77% of respondents "agreed" or "strongly agreed" with the following statement: "The value of the recreation opportunity and services I experienced was at least equal to the fee I was asked to pay." When asked, "Given that the fee revenue is designated for use only at this site, would you have been willing to pay more?" 65% of those surveyed said "no." Of the 35% that said "yes," 67% of them said they would have been willing to pay a $1.00 more. 81% of those surveyed felt the appropriateness of the fees charged at this site was "about right," 17% felt it was "too high," and 2% felt it was "too low." How Are We Doing?On October 1, 1998 the BLM began to charge fees on a per vehicle basis (non-vehicular access is free). In fiscal 2007, $289,174 in fee revenue was received. This was programmed to provide the following services. What Do Fees Help Pay For?
What Are We Doing to Keep Costs Down?The Yaquina Head staff is constantly working on improving site accessibility to visitors while reducing costs. Cost reduction methods include: utilizing volunteers to conduct lighthouse tours and to staff the front desk in the interpretive center. Last year volunteers contributed over 4,800 hours valued at over $86,000. Reports: Participants in the Recreation Fee Project are required to report to Congress annually. The BLM has submitted each year since inception of the program. Yaquina Head was also chosen for two reviews by the General Accounting Office (GAO) as part of a nationwide GAO review and underwent a BLM Fee Program Evaluation in the year 2001. |
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