Mo State Park Survey.

[jdmidwest]

MO DNR is hosting a online survey till March 11 gathering opinions about State Parks. You can fill in the blank at the end with your own thoughts.

Here is the link

State Park Survey

[fozzie.]

Done.

Looks like they're hurting for funds...

[jdmidwest]

The questions seem to revolve around raising fees on everything and charging fees for things that are free now. Boat launch fees, cutting trash service, adding a fee to the trout tag to raise money for the park, etc.

My thoughts on the matter and I made use of the blank box.

It is a tough economy, everybody is making due with less and adjusting accordingly, so should they. Instead of needing more money, they should cut back and tighten up the belt. I certainly do not have any money to give them. I don't feel that I should pay to use public land that has already been purchased with my tax dollars. They continue to get 1/10 of one percent of sales tax dollars to maintain them, which should be sufficient. If sales tax dollars are down, they should operate on the funds saved up when sales taxes were in surplus. But no, they tend to spend every dime, and not save.

The MDC had the same problem, attempted to raise license fees, and we revolted. They listened and kept fees the same. Amazingly, the cutbacks and closures that they said would happen have not taken place. Was it a bluff?

Take the survey and speak your mind, keep our State Park System free and affordable.

[soggyfeet]

From your post it seems they are wanting to raise rates on the things that law abiding people follow. I havent read or gone to the site but think that if they wanted to rasie funds they maybe might want to start thinking about taxing the goods people buy to use these areas. Tackle, hunting gear, camping gear, etc. The tax then would hit everyone one not just good lawfull people. Even poachers need to buy the things used in these areas. I feel everyones pain on money these days, I've been laid off for four months and dont want to see permits or acess to areas go up at all at its not fair to just charge the people that actually pay for these things. We all know that not everyone pays their ramp fees, or buys permits.

[eric1978]

I don't feel that I should pay to use public land that has already been purchased with my tax dollars. They continue to get 1/10 of one percent of sales tax dollars to maintain them, which should be sufficient.

How do you know what's sufficient? Do you balance MDC's books or something? I'd love to see your reaction if they had to close up your favorite parks because they couldn't afford to maintain them any longer. You'd be bitching and moaning just like you are about some trivial little fees to keep the nicest parts of our state clean, accessible and user friendly. And don't give me that "bureaucratic government incompetence" garbage, because prices in the private sector have increased a ridiculous amount lately...while on the other hand, my tax return this year is quite a bit larger than it was the last couple years...hmmm...

[jdmidwest]

The land is already bought and paid for, no expense there. A little money here and there for a minimal staff, mowing, trash service, etc. What else could they need?

Spending alot of money on a Fish Grinder, Offices, Garages, etc could be put on hold till the economy turns around in 3 years.

Face the facts, all Government Run Entities waste money because they don't have to earn it. If they need more, they raise taxes and fees.

[fozzie.]

There's a ton of waste in the private sector too, so I think it's kind of a moot point.

Just like businesses, some state agencies are better with their mother than others. I feel DNR does an awful lot considering their budget has been slashed and ransacked in the past few years to make up for funds in other places. I guess the two things which struck me most were:

1.) They seemed to be advocating both services/recreation opportunities, and fees. It certainly makes sense, I just think their timing is a bit off. I'd rather see them using their funds to maintain current facilities and recreational opportunities, as opposed to them trying to expand opportunities and further extend themselves during a period of economic stagnation.

2.) Regarding the trout parks rule (they wanted to add $1 to the cost of a daily trout tag). I'm not completely opposed, but I'd need to have more information on the arrangement between MDC and DNR. Who pays for maintenance of hatcheries, whether MDC must pay DNR rent for the facilities, who pays for instream habitat management, bank erosion control, etc. I wouldn't even be opposed if it were going into capital improvements, road maintenance, etc. I'd rather see my trout fishing money going directly back into the state's trout fishing opportunities as opposed to other DNR expenses.

[Gavin]

The State Parks are run by MO DNR, not MDC....I wouldnt be in favor of raising fees.

Their campgrounds are packed in the warm months and the fees are pretty high for what you get...Think it was around $45 bucks for the weekend when we took the pop-up down to Montauk on Turkey day weekend.

[trout fanatic]

Why does ANY gov't entity think it is a good idea to raise fees during an economic crisis? This philosophy baffles the crap out of me and it seems to permeate every level of gov't. I took the poll and let them know what I think. A $1 hike to fish Bennett wouldn't really bother me if the money was staying in Bennet-but essentially writing them a blank check to spend the money wherever they want to is bad news. Hunker down like the rest of us

[eric1978]

Their campgrounds are packed in the warm months and the fees are pretty high for what you get...Think it was around $45 bucks for the weekend when we took the pop-up down to Montauk on Turkey day weekend.

I'll admit that's excessive.