Date: 1/19/13 7:41 am
From: Nicholas Lund <nicholas.lund...>
Subject: Re: [MDBirding] DAILY BIRD WATCHING FEES PROPOSED FOR WSSC(brighton Dam, Duckett Reservoir, and Triadelphia Reservoir)


Agreed, Jason. While no one like to pay money for anything, I'd rather pay for access to a site than be shut out of it entirely. I'm thinking primarily of sites like wastewater treatment plants and landfills - places that can be incredible birding sites but are commonly closed or restricted. If those places recognize a financial incentive to increased access they're more likely to open their doors, and further to lure more visitors by improving facilities or better managing for birds.

Nick Lund
Silver Spring






On Jan 19, 2013, at 10:22 AM, Jason Berry <jgbrc...> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> While my first response to something like this is to bristle at having to pay to bird, I think it could actually be good. We in the birding community are used to having a pretty low cost hobby/sport/obsession... Costs associated with indoor climbing, dancing, hunting, golfing, swimming, skeet shooting, archery, fishing, boating, etc. range from access, membership, and licensing fees. While we spend money on equitpment and travel, we normally pay little if any of these other costs.
>
> While this is easy on the pocketbook, the lack of fees associated with birding significantly lowers it's profile in the minds of both public and private authorities. If birders had licenses or paid for access fees like this, maybe we'd be treated better. Personally I hate to feel like I'm sneaking into a good birding location - or have to rely on an informal okay from someone at one of these places that can easily be revoked at any time. If an access fee is paid, it formally recognizes birding and birders as having a legitimate right to bird in an area. Likewise, if we pay, we then have the right to ask for certain bird/birder friendly accommodations in exchange for our fees.
>
> A decade ago, there was a push not so much for access fees, but federal taxing(<1%) of outdoor sporting goods such as hiking boots, binoculars, camping equipment and have this money fund conservation and Park improvement. Unfortunately there wasn't enough support in the outdoor enthusiast community.
>
> Now, I know it would be easy to argue I an full of !@$%&, and that birding has such a minimal impact that there should be zero costs associated with it. There's a lot of truth to this, but we must remember that it was fees from hunting that led to the creation of the National Wildlife Refuge system and conservation easements of significant private lands. With the decline of hunting and the rise of birding we need to contribute our fair share if we want continue to enjoy this great sport!
>
> Jason Berry
> Washington, DC
>
> P.S. All that being said, the seasonal rate of $70 seems to be quite high if their purpose is to really gain $ support from birders rather than discourage birding...
>
>
> From: Bob & Jo Solem <odenata...>
> To: MD & DC Birding <mdbirding...>
> Sent: Friday, January 18, 2013 10:12 PM
> Subject: [MDBirding] DAILY BIRD WATCHING FEES PROPOSED FOR WSSC(brighton Dam, Duckett Reservoir, and Triadelphia Reservoir)
>
> If the proposed fee schedule is adopted, it will cost $5/day or $70/season to birdwatch on WSSC property. And that only during the open season of March 15 - November 30 EXCEPT with the authorization of the Watershed Manager (currently Jim Benton).
>
> "Bird Watching is allowed only at designated areas on WSSC property. In addition to the March 15 � November 30 season, special organized events, such as the annual Audubon Society Christmas Count will be coordinated through WSSC�s Watershed Manager."
>
> There is a public meeting at WSSC headquarters on January 24. Details are here: http://www.wsscwater.com/home/jsp/misc/genericNews.faces?pgurl=/Communication/NewsRelease/2013/2013-01-16.html
> --
> Bob Solem
> <odenata...>
> Laurel, MD 20723
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