Letter: New launch fee at Lake Mead is horrible idea

Tuesday, May 30, 2000 | 9:29 a.m.

I wonder how long before we see any real improvements from this new government tax: the Lake Mead entrance and launch fee.

For $600,000 they should have at least paved a bypass to use during construction, instead of forcing us on a dirt pothole trip through the desert. Poor planning. But then the government isn't known for good planning or for getting its (which used to be our) money's worth.

So what else do we get for our $40 entrance and launch fee? According to agency spokesman Bert Byers, we get an opportunity to visit with Park Service employees and have them answer our questions. Wow. I see no need to visit with Park Service employees or to have any more expensive stuffed desert-animal museums built.

Just leave the lake the way it is. And the only question I have is, why do we now have to pay for something that was free?

JERRY FRIDDELL

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