Any idea how much the park collects from backpackers each year? Any idea how much the park spends on trail maintenance? (I'm not trying to start an argument here, I just honestly don't know the answer to either question. I also have no idea of how much labor and material/tools are donated by volunteer trail maintainers.) Finally, any idea whether the trail maintenance expenditures have increased since they began collecting fees from backpackers?
This has been a heated debate in this part of the country. It as if there going to be another McCoy vs. Hatfield feud, or Moonshiners vs. Revenuers feud... So heated that a not-for-profit organization has filed a lawsuit against the Great Smoky Mountains National Park...
If my memory is correct, the Smokies has about 70,000 backpackers a year. (At least in that ballpark of some sort) So, at $4 per night per person, you can do the math. The Smokies claim the fee are associated with retrieving the cost of implementing a software system to provide 24/7 access to reserving campsites and securing permit. My question is: how much was the software and what are cost associated with server system? Is it possible for the fee to be temporarily until the cost of system is paid off? In all honesty, I kind of like the software system. I've had to make several phone calls to secure permits... Now, I can just click a few buttons whenever I'm on the internet and have a permit secured.
I've been on the fence by playing the devil's advocate for both side of the situation. I can't seem to find the information I want from the Smokies point of view, and the not-for-profit organization can't seem to take a 23 years old seriously. I make the latter statement because I asked them a question on their website and got deleted..... So how am I suppose to take them seriously when they won't take me seriously? *roll-eyes*
Anyhoo, Glenn, the maintenance is credited to a huge turnout of volunteers. Park Rangers do some of supervisions, but it mainly volunteers that do all of the work. All of the shelters along the AT and the trail itself is maintained by the local AT club. I've been told that the bear cables at all campsites were provided by donation. The Smokies' website has list of trail work somewhere and there been some good turnouts. (I guess Tennessee isn't called the volunteer state for nothing, huh?) Ha! The fee was originally suppose to help aid in trail maintenance, but it's now being said it only for recovery of software system. There has been contradictory from both parties, since the Smokies originally said the fee would increase ranger presence, trail maintenance and the software. Now they are saying it just the software. The lawsuit claims it an entrance fee, which is in the deed stipulation that the Smokies is not allow to charge such fee. Now the lawsuit claims the entire public process was handled in an illegal manner. Good grief, it as if neither side can keep their stories straight.
They just need shut up and go hiking!
