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I am an Oregon native and visit Bagby dozens of times a year.  My favorite times to go are at night in the winter when it is dark and cold, add a little snow and it’s the perfect relaxation retreat.  I am well aware of the issues that are presented there with vandalism of vehicles and the “party crowd,” and have had my fair share encounters with such things.  However it has never stopped me from enjoying Bagby and all the positive things it has to offer.  I have been grateful to see the presences of the NWFC and FOB over the years.  NWFC has done wonders for the area and making it safe again.  I am saddened to hear that the only “open” (non fee regulated) hot springs left in the free world will be handed off to a private concessionaire.  This saddens me greatly.  It is a public land and recreation area (just like all the campgrounds) and I am discussed by the USFS willingness to allow private organizations to make a profit on lands set aside by the government for public enjoyment.  I’m not disputing paying a fee to use the facilities, however, just an unwillingness to let someone else make a profit.  Any moneys collected should be by the forest service for the forest service.  If a private concessionaire can maintain campgrounds, day use facilities, and hot springs, and continue to make it worth while for them to stay (presumably to make a profit) than why is it so hard for the USFS to do the same thing, or any form of government for that matter?  I say no to concessionaires on USFS land, period.

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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