Rescued Eagle Scout Billed $25,000

(Sept. 24) - A controversial New Hampshire law that charges those who get lost for the cost of their rescue is facing renewed scrutiny.

Back in April, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout named Scott Mason went hiking on New Hampshire's Mount Washington. After straying from a path, Mason failed to return to his campsite at sunset, so Mason's parents alerted authorities, USA Today reports. A massive search ensued, in which state officials utilized helicopters, and sent out search teams to canvass the mountain for three straight days, the paper said.

Mason survived his time in the frigid terrain by building a rock shelter and using hand sanitizer to help start a fire. By the time rescuers spotted him, the state said it had run up quite a tab.

As Dennis Abbott, the state representative who sponsored the original bill that charges citizens for the cost of rescues, told USA Today, '"People (who) make poor judgments at some point in time have to be responsible for their actions. You don't rent helicopters for nothing."

But the law itself, which has been in effect since June of 2008 hasn't exactly replenished state coffers. Since its inception, only 13 hikers other than Mason have been asked to pay, the newspaper reports. The average charge? A mere $203 per person.

Mason and his lawyer are currently in negotiation with the state attorney general's office regarding the $25,000 fee.

For more on the story, read the report in USA Today.