Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing updates to fees for FWP-managed lands and waters, including state parks, fishing access sites, wildlife management areas and fisheries conservation areas, and is asking the public to weigh in on the changes.
The proposal would apply to both public and commercial use. FWP is proposing the updates because the current fee rules are outdated, recreation use has increased and the costs of keeping sites maintained, safe and open to the public have also gone up.
“The current fee rules have not been thoroughly updated in many years and have become difficult to administer and understand,” said Renee Lemon, parks and outdoor recreation division administrator. “With increases in recreation, we see the need for an updated and more user-friendly fee structure.”
The proposed updates are intended to:
•Adjust fees to better reflect inflation and the increasing costs of maintaining and managing public recreation sites.
•Simplify fee structures and permit categories to improve clarity and consistency for visitors, businesses and staff.
•Maintain affordable and fair fees.
•“We invite the public to provide feedback to help us develop the new structure,” Lemon said.
For information on how to submit a public comment, go to https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/proposed-public-use-rules.
