Date: 2/13/25 3:40 pm From: Wayne Hoffman (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Conservation Access Pass Proposed by NCWRC
Hi -
Oregon has had a somewhat similar system for many years. However the ownership landscape there is very different. Approximately half of the state's total area is public land, mainly National Forests, BLM-managed range-lands, and state forests, with smaller areas of National parks and monuments, state parks, and state game lands. Basic access is free in the National Forests, BLM lands, and state forests, although there tend to be user fees for camping, using boat ramps, etc. Unlike NC, many Oregon state parks charge entrance fees. The state game lands require an annual "parking permit" which used to cost $20, I suspect a bit more now. A state hunting license served as a parking permit so hunters did not pay twice for access. Several of the state game lands were excellent birding areas, and I was always very willing to pay for a parking permit, which were available from all of the vendors who sold hunting licenses.
Wayne
From: "alhooks13" <carolinabirds...> To: "CarolinaBirds" <carolinabirds...> Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2025 6:24:41 PM Subject: Re: Conservation Access Pass Proposed by NCWRC
I will gladly pay a user fee to gain more access to more places. But it's a bit short sighted from my perspective. Yes, we birders and other naturalists don't pay a direct fee to NC WRC.
In reviewing their fiscal 2023 budget posted online, vessel registrations, boating safety and license receipts account for 35% of the annual revenue of WRC's $109.5 million budget. The remainder come from indirect non-user sources, such federal funds, general appropriations and even gas tax transfers. Law enforcement accounts for 29% of expenditures with wildlife management, "gamelands" (however defined), and habitat conservation comprising 11%, 15%, and 8%, respectively.
I posit hunters, fishermen and boaters don't pay their "fair share" in return for the exclusive access they've been given. Further, I argue that we birders and naturalists likely spend more in gas tax, and sales and occupancy taxes as we criss-cross the state in search of that next lifer or just for the enjoyment our nature pursuits provide.
Al Hooks Smithfield, NC Current Lifetime NC Fishing License Holder
On Thu, Feb 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM Ann Robertson < [ mailto:<carolinabirds...> | <carolinabirds...> ] > wrote:
Dear Carolinabirders,
In this morning's Coastal Review, I read about an exciting proposal from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to offer a "Conservation Access Pass". This would be the birder equivalent of a hunting / fishing license, and would renew annually. The pass would provide entry to 2 million acres of gameland, boating access areas, and more. It is not limited to birders; a range of recreational uses are mentioned
There are three public meetings across the state, coming up soon. There's also a VIRTUAL meeting on March 4th, for which you may register.
I was told a while back by a politically experienced birder that one reason birders don't carry as much weight with state officials as hunters is that we don't contribute to the public till with special taxes, licenses, etc. Apparently, at one time a "birders' tax" was proposed on items such as binoculars, birdseed, etc., that would have fed into conservation. Our flock apparently did not endorse this, sadly.
