Thursday, September 25, 2014

Local Wildlife Refuges seek fee increases to offset budget cuts

The St. Marks and St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuges are proposing fee changes for big game hunting, refuge specific annual passes, building rental, and access.
If approved, these changes would occur on June 1st, 2015.
St. Marks National Wildlife refuge currently has a $5 application fee and a $15.00 permit fee for big game gun and archery quota hunts.
The refuge proposes to increase this permit fee to $25.00.
The St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Sambar deer hunt currently requires a $5 application fee and $25.00 permit fee.
The refuge proposes an increase of the permit fee to $35.00.
The cost of an annual pass to St. Marks could increase from $15.00 to $25.00.
St. Marks is also proposing a $2/person Lighthouse access fee to help cover operation and maintenance costs of the historic St. Marks Lighthouse.
Park officials say the additional funding has become even more essential as refuges deal with critical budget shortages.
A fee analysis was done by Refuge staff to keep fees consistent with those charged for hunt permits by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission WMA’s and Tyndall Air Force Base.
The refuges are interested in hearing from the public regarding the proposed new fees and fee increases, and will collect public comments beginning through October 17, 2014.
Submit any comments by email to saintmarks@fws.gov,
You can also send comments by mail to Refuge Manager, P.O. Box 68, St. Marks, FL 32355.
All comments will be reviewed and considered before a final decision is made on the implementation of the fees.




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