Comments on: Campaign advances to keep Mono Lake’s state park open
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/
A refreshing collection of all things Mono Lake brought to you by the Mono Lake Committee staffMon, 21 Jan 2013 17:02:42 +0000http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1By: Wayne Truax
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1076
Wayne TruaxThu, 10 Nov 2011 19:40:52 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1076I had sent a suggestion to the Governor's Office that, where a viable and willing support agency (Such as the Mono Lake Committee) exists for those parks slated for closure, the administration of the park be turned over to that agency. The template for this concept is the Presidio Trust that was delegated to take over administration of the former Presidio Army post under oversight of the National Park Service. My vision is that the support agency be tasked with having the park operating costs break even over the course of 2 to 4 years else face closure. The key here is viable and willing.
I've heard nothing from the Governor's office. Does anyone else share my vision? Is this "do-able?" I'm afraid this may well be our only hope of saving the park!I had sent a suggestion to the Governor’s Office that, where a viable and willing support agency (Such as the Mono Lake Committee) exists for those parks slated for closure, the administration of the park be turned over to that agency. The template for this concept is the Presidio Trust that was delegated to take over administration of the former Presidio Army post under oversight of the National Park Service. My vision is that the support agency be tasked with having the park operating costs break even over the course of 2 to 4 years else face closure. The key here is viable and willing.
I’ve heard nothing from the Governor’s office. Does anyone else share my vision? Is this “do-able?” I’m afraid this may well be our only hope of saving the park!
]]>By: Kevin Cronin
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1073
Kevin CroninTue, 01 Nov 2011 14:36:53 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1073First, I'm a firm believer is collecting funds as close to the user of the attraction as is reasonable. I'm in favor of the donation drop or access fees.
However, the reasonablness of fees has to be considered. I recently drove across Nevada and found they have instituted site visitation fees, which is OK. My objection is only to have fees commensurate with the time a visitor is likely to spend at a given site. Nevada is charging $7 at sites one passing through might spend 20 minutes. I find that unreasonable.
As many visitors are passing through the Mono Lake area, perhaps making several short stops, something like a $5-day access fee for all sites could work.
KevinFirst, I’m a firm believer is collecting funds as close to the user of the attraction as is reasonable. I’m in favor of the donation drop or access fees.
However, the reasonablness of fees has to be considered. I recently drove across Nevada and found they have instituted site visitation fees, which is OK. My objection is only to have fees commensurate with the time a visitor is likely to spend at a given site. Nevada is charging $7 at sites one passing through might spend 20 minutes. I find that unreasonable.
As many visitors are passing through the Mono Lake area, perhaps making several short stops, something like a $5-day access fee for all sites could work.
Kevin
]]>By: Karen Kutzedika Paiute Hess
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1070
Karen Kutzedika Paiute HessFri, 28 Oct 2011 20:30:35 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1070Mono Lake is extremely important to me and on my father's side of American Indians, who are native to the Mono Basin. I have written countless letters along with my friends to Governor Brown and Mono County’s State Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, and State Senator Ted Gaines. Assemblymember Olsen’s staff is still to be addressed from my father and my family. It is important to donate to the Mono Lake Committee, but I would like to see where that money is going, besides a tax write off. Geoff, Executive Director, can you reply to me on that @ my email above.
Sincerely,
Karen HessMono Lake is extremely important to me and on my father’s side of American Indians, who are native to the Mono Basin. I have written countless letters along with my friends to Governor Brown and Mono County’s State Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, and State Senator Ted Gaines. Assemblymember Olsen’s staff is still to be addressed from my father and my family. It is important to donate to the Mono Lake Committee, but I would like to see where that money is going, besides a tax write off. Geoff, Executive Director, can you reply to me on that @ my email above.
Sincerely,
Karen Hess
]]>By: Geoff, Executive Director
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1069
Geoff, Executive DirectorFri, 28 Oct 2011 16:45:24 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1069Thanks all for the comments and ideas. Collecting donations at the visitor access sites via a donation tube or similar system is a good idea, in fact so good that such a system has been in place for several years. Unfortunately the amount collected is pretty small. One perspective on this is that voluntary donations seem to come more from repeat visitors who are big Mono Lake fans than from folks who are on one time visits, probably to many sites in the Eastern Sierra and California. Both types of visitors seem to be mostly willing to pay a small fee though, so that's why a (required) fee is part of the discussion. Thanks again for the great discussion so far!Thanks all for the comments and ideas. Collecting donations at the visitor access sites via a donation tube or similar system is a good idea, in fact so good that such a system has been in place for several years. Unfortunately the amount collected is pretty small. One perspective on this is that voluntary donations seem to come more from repeat visitors who are big Mono Lake fans than from folks who are on one time visits, probably to many sites in the Eastern Sierra and California. Both types of visitors seem to be mostly willing to pay a small fee though, so that’s why a (required) fee is part of the discussion. Thanks again for the great discussion so far!
]]>By: michele wickham
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1068
michele wickhamFri, 28 Oct 2011 16:09:48 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1068User fee that stays at Mono Lake is a good idea, a donation pipe at the parking lots is an easy to use idea. One reason I'm A Mono Lake Commetee member is to keep Mono Lake as it is (or better).User fee that stays at Mono Lake is a good idea, a donation pipe at the parking lots is an easy to use idea. One reason I’m A Mono Lake Commetee member is to keep Mono Lake as it is (or better).
]]>By: Rachel Lazzaro
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1067
Rachel LazzaroFri, 28 Oct 2011 15:05:47 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1067As overseas visitors ourselves, my husband and I wouldn't object to a user fee since this is an area of outstanding beauty that we love. Mono is a hidden treasure that inspires loyalty in those who do discover it and to keep it safe is a prize worth paying for.As overseas visitors ourselves, my husband and I wouldn’t object to a user fee since this is an area of outstanding beauty that we love. Mono is a hidden treasure that inspires loyalty in those who do discover it and to keep it safe is a prize worth paying for.
]]>By: Lynne and Rob Allan
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1066
Lynne and Rob AllanFri, 28 Oct 2011 02:09:12 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1066It's sad to arrive at this situation of having to defend our wonderful parks but who can deny that installing a user fee wouldn't be a great idea. Particularly if it can keep mono Lake opened for folks to continue using and to be able to appreciate.It’s sad to arrive at this situation of having to defend our wonderful parks but who can deny that installing a user fee wouldn’t be a great idea. Particularly if it can keep mono Lake opened for folks to continue using and to be able to appreciate.
]]>By: Janet Westbtook
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1064
Janet WestbtookThu, 27 Oct 2011 17:41:06 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1064Agree that an "entry fee" is more acceptable than a "parking fee". The latter will only encourage folks to park along the road rather than in the lots -
And a donation pipe is an excellent idea! Put them at all 3 major points of entry - North beach, South Tufa, and the Old marina site on the SW side. Be sure to explain in a sign that the donation would stay at the Lake!!Agree that an “entry fee” is more acceptable than a “parking fee”. The latter will only encourage folks to park along the road rather than in the lots –
And a donation pipe is an excellent idea! Put them at all 3 major points of entry – North beach, South Tufa, and the Old marina site on the SW side. Be sure to explain in a sign that the donation would stay at the Lake!!
]]>By: Dave & Pat Fitzgerald
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1063
Dave & Pat FitzgeraldThu, 27 Oct 2011 17:03:55 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1063We are in wholehearted agreement with the suggested user fee. Instead of a "parking" fee, how about an "entry" fee (per carload)? There is something negative about parking fees but it is hard to object to an entry fee to a site as majestic as Mono Lake.We are in wholehearted agreement with the suggested user fee. Instead of a “parking” fee, how about an “entry” fee (per carload)? There is something negative about parking fees but it is hard to object to an entry fee to a site as majestic as Mono Lake.
]]>By: Barb Billings
http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/10/25/campaign-advances-to-keep-mono-lakes-state-park-open/comment-page-1/#comment-1061
Barb BillingsThu, 27 Oct 2011 15:49:06 +0000http://www.monolake.org/today/?p=7090#comment-1061I also agree with what has been stated about supporting what we use- and like the idea of keeping the funds at Mono Lake. I wonder if a special annual pass could be created for frequent visitors based on donation, through the Committee. I'm sure there would be enough interest.I also agree with what has been stated about supporting what we use- and like the idea of keeping the funds at Mono Lake. I wonder if a special annual pass could be created for frequent visitors based on donation, through the Committee. I’m sure there would be enough interest.
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