Who's Paying for Trash Collection Services to be Restored at the ISDRA?

Congressman Bob Filner recently restored trash collection services for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA).

On the surface that may seem like a good idea, but one has to question whether or not the funds used for trash collection in the dunes by the BLM wouldn't be better spent on things like EMT service, road maintenance, or some other service that normal users can't supply? Or at the very least sub it out to the private sector. It'll be cheaper AND create jobs.

Seriously, when you consider the shape of the economy and all, don't you think it's time for the government to tighten their belts, too? You know this is going to get paid for with increased fees. Would it be worth it to you to take your trash home with you so those funds could be used for more important things?

The Imperial Valley Press reports that the El Centro CoC wants to eliminate personal responsibility for people to clean up their mess...

Cathy Kennerson, chief executive officer of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce, said that while working on its budget for this year, the bureau said it recognized the need to continue providing trash service.

“You can’t expect the 1.4 million people who visit the dunes to all clean up every bit of trash,” Kennerson said.

Wait, what?

Packing your trash out with you is one of the first rules to ANY outdoor recreation, including riding ATVs in the dunes!

People need to be more responsible and try to take care of themselves instead of relying on others to do it for them. We already pay enough for access to "public land" (that in my opinion should be free to access after we pay for our green or red stickers), and we don't need to add the cost of trash service to our bill, because we are the ones paying for it all in the end anyway.

Image Matt Finley