Hikers, paddlers should not be expected to pay fees

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Maine is an excellent place to live or visit if you are partial to hiking, canoeing or kayaking.

The state offers many magnificent places to enjoy these activities, each of which is good, clean, healthy fun -- and for now, free.

Easy access to public land and water is part of what makes Maine so special and appealing to so many people.

But there is still talk in Augusta that hikers and paddlers might be asked one day to pay fees to help fund the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Maine is one of several states that are looking for more ways to support their wildlife departments -- ways that go beyond hunters and fishermen.

While we understand the need to find additional revenue sources for Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the answer is not to make residents or visitors pay to hike or paddle in Maine.

These are low-impact, nonintrusive activities that cost the state almost nothing. We cannot imagine making people pay for the privilege.

Maine encourages people to live healthy lifestyles, be active and enjoy all the state has to offer. It would seem incongruous -- and perhaps self-defeating -- to demand money from those who want to walk the state's trails or enjoy its waters in human-powered boats.

In recent budget discussions, Maine lawmakers talked about imposing fees on a variety of outdoor activities, including paddling and hiking. They also debated the merits of establishing an outdoor-access card.

In the end, the Legislature approved a $5.7 billion, two-year budget without asking hikers or paddlers to open their wallets. However, lawmakers and others say it might not be long before hikers, canoeists and kayakers are asked to buy permits or pay fees.

The idea has won support from hunters' and fishermen's organizations and from other groups, such as Maine Audubon and Maine Friends of Animals.

They say hikers, paddlers and other "nonconsumptive users" should pay license fees to support the services provided by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, such as stocking lakes and search-and-rescue efforts.

We disagree.

People should be able to walk Maine's trails or paddle its waters without the need of a permit.