It would be first increase in eight years
JARED MILLER Star-Tribune capital bureau | Posted: Saturday, February 16, 2008 12:00 am
CHEYENNE - A bill to increase fees at state parks and historical sites won approval from a legislative committee Friday.
The House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee voted unanimously to support the first fee increases since 1999.
House Bill 10 would impose across-the-board increases for both resident and non-resident guests.
For example, the daily camping fee for residents would increase from $4 to $6 per night, and the annual camping permit would jump from $30 to $40. The overnight camping fee for non-residents would increase from $8 to $11.
The bill also eliminates the $60 annual non-resident overnight camping permit, which had raised questions about non-residents unfairly competing with Wyoming residents for choice camping sites.
The legislation also authorizes the state Department of Parks and Cultural Resources to collect an additional "amenities fee" for extra services like electricity or showers.
A portion of the fee could be used to build new amenities, including cabins, yurts and other campground improvements.
Milward Simpson, director of the state department of parks and cultural resources, said many campers bypass more primitive campsites in lieu of established sites in other states. Most of Wyoming's existing campgrounds are primitive.
It is hoped that extra revenue generated by the fee increases n an estimated $700,000 per year n will make the state Department of Parks and Cultural Resources more self sustaining.
Simpson said that despite the increases, fees will remain among the most affordable in the region.
In fact, many of the proposed rates fall well under the average price for similar services in surrounding states, according to data presented by Simpson.
"There is no question that we are affordable and a real bargain, even with the increased rates," Simpson testified.
Simpson said his staff set the increased fees based on a survey of what current parks and historical site users said they would pay, as well as cost-of-living adjustments.
He said the increases were important in light of the increased visitation to Wyoming parks and historical sites, including a sizable increase of non-resident guests.
"We are seeing more and more visitors to our state parks, especially from non-resident states like Colorado," Simpson said.
The bill won support from Wyoming Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, the nonprofit wildlife conservation group.
Spokesman Bob Wharff said slightly more than half of the group's members in a recent survey said they supported the bill, while 32 percent opposed it.
"The upkeep and maintenance (of our parks and historical sites) is obviously important, and I think we would support this," Wharff told the committee.
The committee declined to vote on an amendment that would have provided a break for state residents aged 65 or older. The measure may be considered on the House floor.
Simpson opposed the amendment. The intent of the legislation, he said, is to make the department more self-sustaining through fees. Breaks for a segment of users would defeat the "spirit and purpose" of the bill.
HB 10 now moves to the full House for consideration.
Reach Star-Tribune capital bureau reporter Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or at jared.miller@trib.com.