Weyco eyes charging at St. Helens

[fireweed]

“We want to keep our lands open to the general public, but it’s become increasingly challenging and costly in recent years,” Chavez said, citing vandalism and garbage dumping."

We need a $5000 fine for dumping and vandalism. Bonus points for turning in these selfish and derelict slobs that are ruining access to private lands.

The idea that recent garbage dumping led to charging is a myth and an industry "talking point".  Heck, in SW Washington a volunteer group started picking up garbage the year  BEFORE they locked the gates. They probably did a survey and found out people respond more positively if they say the closures are due to dumping vs. trying  to get Money.  Remember, these areas were mostly walk-in.  Even tweekers don't haul their garbage in on their backs (they actually work quite diligently to bring stuff out!).  Weyco's presentation to investor tells the real story: they made 19-million last year in the south on leases and part of their strategy is to squeeze every dollar they can from every acre.  That's how REITS are set up.  Stopping garbage dumping won't stop the fees.  They only way to change the fees is to make it MORE profitable to NOT charge.  The only way to do that is to change (or threaten to change) their property tax breaks.

[pianoman9701]

“We want to keep our lands open to the general public, but it’s become increasingly challenging and costly in recent years,” Chavez said, citing vandalism and garbage dumping."

We need a $5000 fine for dumping and vandalism. Bonus points for turning in these selfish and derelict slobs that are ruining access to private lands.

The idea that recent garbage dumping led to charging is a myth and an industry "talking point".  Heck, in SW Washington a volunteer group started picking up garbage the year  BEFORE they locked the gates. They probably did a survey and found out people respond more positively if they say the closures are due to dumping vs. trying  to get Money.  Remember, these areas were mostly walk-in.  Even tweekers don't haul their garbage in on their backs (they actually work quite diligently to bring stuff out!).  Weyco's presentation to investor tells the real story: they made 19-million last year in the south on leases and part of their strategy is to squeeze every dollar they can from every acre.  That's how REITS are set up.  Stopping garbage dumping won't stop the fees.  They only way to change the fees is to make it MORE profitable to NOT charge.  The only way to do that is to change (or threaten to change) their property tax breaks.

So you've "jumped the head guy" and expected to get him to open up to you. We're talking about a different approach, one which will hopefully either prove your theory right or wrong. Starting a positive dialogue with WEYCO is the first step. If we find they aren't receptive to having hunter conservationists help them with dumping and vandalism and still want to charge for passes, then we'll go another route and push for legislative alternatives to their present tax rates. Please feel free to join our meeting on Dec. 4th if you'd like to learn more.

[fireweed]

“We want to keep our lands open to the general public, but it’s become increasingly challenging and costly in recent years,” Chavez said, citing vandalism and garbage dumping."

We need a $5000 fine for dumping and vandalism. Bonus points for turning in these selfish and derelict slobs that are ruining access to private lands.

The idea that recent garbage dumping led to charging is a myth and an industry "talking point".  Heck, in SW Washington a volunteer group started picking up garbage the year  BEFORE they locked the gates. They probably did a survey and found out people respond more positively if they say the closures are due to dumping vs. trying  to get Money.  Remember, these areas were mostly walk-in.  Even tweekers don't haul their garbage in on their backs (they actually work quite diligently to bring stuff out!).  Weyco's presentation to investor tells the real story: they made 19-million last year in the south on leases and part of their strategy is to squeeze every dollar they can from every acre.  That's how REITS are set up.  Stopping garbage dumping won't stop the fees.  They only way to change the fees is to make it MORE profitable to NOT charge.  The only way to do that is to change (or threaten to change) their property tax breaks.

So you've "jumped the head guy" and expected to get him to open up to you. We're talking about a different approach, one which will hopefully either prove your theory right or wrong. Starting a positive dialogue with WEYCO is the first step. If we find they aren't receptive to having hunter conservationists help them with dumping and vandalism and still want to charge for passes, then we'll go another route and push for legislative alternatives to their present tax rates. Please feel free to join our meeting on Dec. 4th if you'd like to learn more.

OK, so jumped isn't correct.  I was at a meeting with him and brought it up.  Of course he is just the messenger.  SW Washington Land Access Coalition has been doing what you suggest for several years including monitoring gates during hunting season.  They get WDFW grants to cover their expenses.  I have their contacts if you want them.

[pianoman9701]

“We want to keep our lands open to the general public, but it’s become increasingly challenging and costly in recent years,” Chavez said, citing vandalism and garbage dumping."

We need a $5000 fine for dumping and vandalism. Bonus points for turning in these selfish and derelict slobs that are ruining access to private lands.

The idea that recent garbage dumping led to charging is a myth and an industry "talking point".  Heck, in SW Washington a volunteer group started picking up garbage the year  BEFORE they locked the gates. They probably did a survey and found out people respond more positively if they say the closures are due to dumping vs. trying  to get Money.  Remember, these areas were mostly walk-in.  Even tweekers don't haul their garbage in on their backs (they actually work quite diligently to bring stuff out!).  Weyco's presentation to investor tells the real story: they made 19-million last year in the south on leases and part of their strategy is to squeeze every dollar they can from every acre.  That's how REITS are set up.  Stopping garbage dumping won't stop the fees.  They only way to change the fees is to make it MORE profitable to NOT charge.  The only way to do that is to change (or threaten to change) their property tax breaks.

So you've "jumped the head guy" and expected to get him to open up to you. We're talking about a different approach, one which will hopefully either prove your theory right or wrong. Starting a positive dialogue with WEYCO is the first step. If we find they aren't receptive to having hunter conservationists help them with dumping and vandalism and still want to charge for passes, then we'll go another route and push for legislative alternatives to their present tax rates. Please feel free to join our meeting on Dec. 4th if you'd like to learn more.

OK, so jumped isn't correct.  I was at a meeting with him and brought it up.  Of course he is just the messenger.  SW Washington Land Access Coalition has been doing what you suggest for several years including monitoring gates during hunting season.  They get WDFW grants to cover their expenses.  I have their contacts if you want them.

I'd love to have those contacts as well as your input. We'd be benefitting from your participation.