The only thing that does *not* incur a permit fee for recreational use of
WSSC properity is individual or small-group picnicking (or birding if you
have a sandwich in your hand) in the designated picnic area. Large groups
require a picnic permit. Hiking, horseback riding, fishing, boating,
birding all require permits. So yes, it's an entrance fee that is waived
for the picnic area.
On Sat, Mar 2, 2013 at 10:34 AM, Jim Moore <epiphenomenon9...> wrote:
> I think what many people find annoying or offensive about the fee is that
> it is characterized as a "birdwatching fee" rather than an entrance fee.
> Lots of parks charge entrance fees, but I'm aware of few if any that charge
> fees simply for watching birds. Birdwatching is a low-impact activity, and
> does not require the WSSC to incur any expenditures any more than simply
> entering the property � people who come on the property just to look at the
> water have the same impact as birders regardless of whether they also look
> at birds. So the very idea that there should be a fee for birdwatching
> seems incongruous, at least to me. I think most of us feel that no one owns
> wild birds, and the birds as well as watching them should be free
> activities.
>
> That said, the regulations indicate that fees are also required for
> picnicking and hiking. So overall this is pretty close to being an entrance
> fee; I guess the only thing you don't have to pay a fee for is if you come
> on the property just to look around � provided you carefully avoid looking
> at any creatures in the class Aves!
>
> Good (free) birding!
> Jim Moore
> Rockville, Maryland
>
> On 3/2/2013 10:15 AM, Leslie Starr wrote:
>
>>
>> On Mar 2, 2013, at 10:06 AM, Frank Boyle wrote:
>>
>>
>> In short: what's the big deal? Pay the fee and have fun birding.
>>>
>>
>>
>> I haven't read all the details, so apologies if I am missing something.
>> For me, the issue is not so much paying a fee but whether obtaining access
>> permission will be too cumbersome for spontaneous visits.
>>
>> thanks, Leslie Starr
>> Baltimore
>>
>>
>>
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College Park, MD
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