The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking public comment on a package of fee increases that are based on a citizens’ committee recommendation to help Montana better maintain its state parks and public fishing access sites.
"Montana’s state parks and fishing access sites, even with today’s conservative management and maintenance, continue to cost more than we can generate with fees and existing funding sources," said Doug Monger, FWP Parks Division administrator.
The proposed fee increases address entrance fees at state parks, camping fees at state parks and fishing access sites, and Smith River registration fees.
The Commission’s action to raise fees came following a recommendation from the Montana State Parks Futures II Committee that fees be increased as one of several steps necessary to get Montana’s State Parks and Fishing Access Sites on a solid financial footing. The State Parks Futures II Committee was appointed by Governor Judy Martz to review the operations and management of the Montana State Parks system.
Newly assessed camping fees of $7 per night with a fishing license, and $15 without a fishing license, are proposed for the following sites:
FWP Region 1 Ashley Lake FAS west of Kalispell
Thompson-Chain-of-Lakes FAS west of Kalispell
FWP Region 2 River Junction FAS, west of Ovando
Upsata Lake FAS, northeast of Clearwater Crossing
Harry Morgan FAS, south of Ovando
Monture Creek FAS, east of Ovando
Hannon Memorial FAS, south of Hamilton
Browne’s Lake, east of Ovando
FWP Region 4 Pishkun Reservoir FAS southwest of Choteau
Willow Creek Reservoir FAS northwest of Augusta
Increases also are proposed for Montana State Parks Passports from $24 to $30 per vehicle and "Early Bird" Passports would be eliminated. State Parks entrance fees would increase from $4 to $5 per vehicle in 22 parks and entrance fees for individuals would increase from $1 to $2 in three parks. Camping fees would go from $12 to $15 in some parks and from $8 to $12 in others. At FAS’s now charging a camping fee, fees would go from $5 to $7 for campers with fishing licenses and from $10 to $15 for campers without fishing licenses.
Additional changes proposed in Smith River fees would increase the launch fee paid for public launches from $15 to $30 for residents 13 and older and from $35 to $70 for non-residents age 13 and older. The fee for outfitter clients would go from $70 to $150 for each outfitter’s client. The launch fee for each outfitter staff member on a float would increase from $15 to $30. Details on the fee changes are available in the proposed Biennial Fee Rules for State Parks, Fishing Access Sites, and the Smith River program available on the FWP web site at fwp.state.mt.us.
The FWP Commission will make final decisions on the proposed fee increases at its Nov. 14 meeting in Helena.
All user fees go to support Montana State Parks and Fishing Access Sites.
Copies of the proposed new rules may be obtained by contacting the FWP Parks Division at 406-444-3752, or by writing to Montana FWP-Parks Division, 1420 East 6 th Ave., Helena, MT 59620-0701. The proposed rules are also available for review and comment on the FWP website at fwp.state.mt.us under Notices. Written comments may be sent to FWP, Parks Division, 1420 East Sixth Ave., P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. The public may comment on the rules through Friday, Nov. 1.
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