Wendell Ford: “today I am introducing a bill prohibiting the Corps of Engineers from charging user fees at underdeveloped or lightly…”

“today I am introducing a bill prohibiting the Corps of Engineers from charging user fees at underdeveloped or lightly developed lake facilities in Kentucky and other States. The corps now charges user fees at highly developed facilities requiring round-the-clock maintenance and supervision of corps personnel. Clearly, user fees are proper in these situations. But beginning in May of this year, the corps proposes to establish user fees for beaches, boat ramps, and other unmaintained facilities that are currently free of charge. For many hardworking families in my State, you may as well put up ``closed for the season'' signs. All across my State--and I am sure my colleagues' own States--there are families who put in a hard day's work, pay their bills, put a roof over the family's head and food on the table. Once they have done all that, there is not much left in the family budget for an expensive vacation. Because States understood there was a need for easily accessible, affordable places for families to vacation, they gave up land so that many of these corps-maintained lakes could be built. I think all would agree that the citizens whose tax dollars built those facilities and whose tax dollars maintain these facilities should be able to use these facilities. Mr. President, my legislation will assure the park gates will not be closed for any tourist, regardless how big or how small their vacation budget might be.”