EMERSON WORKS TO REPEAL CORPS USER FEES

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson says Americans have "already paid" for publicly owned park facilities, and he wants user fees at Corps of Engineers-operated recreational facilities repealed.

Emerson and other members of Congress introduced legislation Thursday calling into question the user fees, which are included in the 1993 tax plan.

The Cape Girardeau Republican called the fee plan "a wolf in sheep's clothing."

"The president has tried to sell it as a user fee, but it's nothing more than a new tax, an onerous tax that's unfair to people who want to enjoy our great outdoors," said the congressman.

"We've already been taxed once for the upkeep and maintenance of our Corps' facilities. ... Folks who want to enjoy Lake Wappappello, Clearwater Lake or any other public facility should be allowed to do so unencumbered by this new park tax."

The user fees, to take effect in this recreational season at Corps facilities, include:

-- $1 per person or $3 per carload;

-- $2 to use a boat ramp;

-- $25 yearly pass person ($12.50 for senior citizens).

Emerson said he believed such fees represent an attempt to "balance the budget or reduce the deficit on the backs of one segment of our population."

The 8th District representative is helping line up a bipartisan group of legislative supporters for the measure. The Missouri House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging the president to rescind the "user fee."