Greg, this is strictly an issue of finance.
The BLM continues to suffer a series of reductions of finance, while at the same time taking on more and more responsiblities.
The alternatives are what you have seen: either impose fees for use, or shut down areas that cannot be managed (as required by law).
This is simply an issue of fiscal policy. As long as the American public supports a policy of progressively reducing taxes, there will be less money for budgeting.
We have the same thing in California, where there is now a crunch to shut things down, to keep the state solvent. Everyone has their favorite thing. And there is huge conflict.
I get people who ask me to support parks that will be closed, while at the same time I'm getting asked to lobby for the cuts that will occur for health care for poor children. I don't see anyone lobbying for increasing fees for those parks, which arguably an "extra" in life, not an essential, like breathing.
It comes down to choices, and what we want to pay for. If we don't want to pay taxes, then we won't get "free" gov't services, which of course are not free, just paid by taxes.
The various agencies are in true crisis at this point.
