dave54
Northeast CA.
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Joined: 02/12/2004
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Over the last couple weeks I had coversations with my friends and former coworkers still in the Forest Service and BLM. They all tell me the same thing: expect major budget cutbacks.
The federal government is out of money and must reduce spending. The USFS, BLM, Park Service et al are pretty low on the priority list. My local FS office is planning a 50% cut in staffing levels. No summer hires, roads and campgrounds will not be maintained unless it is a health/safety issue, and almost no one patrolling the woods. Road signs will not be updated or replaced. Visitor centers and Ranger Stations will be closed more often, with staffing and hours reduced. You will be on your own out there.
I am not advocating law breaking, but the new national forest motor vehicle rules are going to be enforced sporadically, if at all.
Fires will still be fought, but it may take longer to mobilize enough firefighters so fires will be larger (and more expensive, partially negating the budget savings). Crimes will still be investigated or at least a report will be taken, but a vigorous law enforcement presence will not exist.
The agencies will issue the usual upbeat press release about services will still be provided, etc. The truth is different.
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Cape Cod Mountain Man
Eastham,MA
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It is all too sad, really. There is so little money being spent on this type of recreation and preservation. Wish we had some of that money back from Iraq. Rangers are paid like immigrant farm workers and a few thousand dollars in infrastructure can make a huge difference. Its when thinking of this type of cutback that I'd like to slap the no-tax bunch in the wallet - or someplace close.
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beemerphile1
I'm only 57, I'm not yet a
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Rough to accept but I'm okay if it has to be done. Everyone wants budget cuts up until it affects them. If it is done fairly and across the board I am okay with it. I'll adapt.
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Dolan Brown
North Carolina
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Typical. With the Billions wasted by our so called "leaders" in Washington they look at cutting by a few $$ on National Parks, etc.
It's time to clear out some of the deadwood.
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down home
south
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Those, of us, capable can volunteer.
Everyone can be considerate and take care so no one has to clean up behind us.
Another thing that we can do is tell, those that will isten, in Washington what the priorites of Americans and the Republic are.
Elected Washington itself should take huge cuts in salaries and erks and vacation staffs.
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korbe
Northern California
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There's plenty of waste at the forest service & BLM in northeastern California. Do you think the employees will become more efficient?
In the private sector, when you have cutbacks everybody takes a little more of the work load. But in the govt, everybody moans & groans about not having enough of our tax dollars to get the job done. So they let things go to hell without working any harder - so they can justify more tax dollars. BTW, this is simply my opinion, and I'm sure a lot of people will disagree, but ay least I said it.
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LenSatic
Cochise Co., AZ
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dave54 wrote:You will be on your own out there.
Works for me! As it did for my great-grand parents when they drove their wagons to No Man's Land Oklahoma to settle.
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tktplz
Lake Bistineau, Louisiana
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Dolan Brown wrote:Typical. With the Billions wasted by our so called "leaders" in Washington they look at cutting by a few $$ on National Parks, etc.
It's time to clear out some of the deadwood.
Even after we cut out the deadwood it's a really big hole we're in. It looks like there will be allot more primitive camping for the next 8 to 10 years.
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CREATO
Beautiful Harvey N.D.
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korbe wrote:There's plenty of waste at the forest service & BLM in northeastern California. Do you think the employees will become more efficient?
In the private sector, when you have cutbacks everybody takes a little more of the work load. But in the govt, everybody moans & groans about not having enough of our tax dollars to get the job done. So they let things go to hell without working any harder - so they can justify more tax dollars. BTW, this is simply my opinion, and I'm sure a lot of people will disagree, but ay least I said it.
I feel the same way, It is time to start cutting and people are going to have to start doing for themselfs and not rely on the on Gov. for everything.
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campersuzid
Bisbee
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Excuse me but my hubby and I have been working on the US National Forest Campground Guide effort for almost 20 years now and have seen the destruction caused by year-after-year budget cuts and it breaks my heart. According to my calculation, the recreation budget has been reduced by 73% over the fifteen years. That is why you have less campground services and more concessionaire operated campgrounds charging more and doing less and less. I have seen the forest service do amazing things with next to nothing but, as they say, you can't get blood from a turnip. I think we have a big bucket of turnips in front of us. Maybe what we, the users of public lands, should do a say "Thank you" and pick up some of the slack. I think I treat every campground as a pack-it-in/pack-it-out, avoid concessionaire operated campgrounds, and camp a few extra time this year. Probably won't make much of a difference but darn what else can I do.
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