State park permit fees could increase

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s annual park entry permit fees would increase under a bill advanced from general file March 9.

LB421, introduced by Louisville Sen. Dave Pankonin, would increase the maximum annual entry permit fee from $20 to $25 for resident motor vehicles and from $25 to $30 for nonresident motor vehicles. The maximum fee also would increase from $4 to $5 for temporary resident entry permits and from $5 to $6 for nonresidents.

The bill also would increase the fee collected by entities issuing permits as reimbursement for clerical work. The current range for the fee is 25 to 35 cents. The bill would set a standard fee of $1.

The changes would go into effect Jan. 1, 2012.

Pankonin said state park facilities are an asset that should be maintained. Insufficient park fees have resulted in $34 million of deferred maintenance at state parks, he said, adding that failure to provide adequate funds could result in reduced hours of availability or park closures.

“Sometimes fee increases are necessary to maintain the functions of government,” Pankonin said.

The Commission already has taken steps to lower expenses by reducing park system staff from 216 to 179 employees, he said.

Ogallala Sen. Ken Schilz agreed that state parks already are staffed at minimal levels. For instance, he said, only one law enforcement officer is responsible for covering the 105 miles of beach at Lake McConaughy.

The proposed $25 fee is in line with inflation, Pankonin said, as the 1978 fee of $7.50 would be $25.33 today. Nebraska’s fee, which has not been increased for five years, is the lowest park fee among states that use fees to support parks, he said.

Valentine Sen. Deb Fischer spoke in support of the bill, saying the parks need additional revenue for maintenance. A fee increase would supplement the Commission’s other money-saving projects, she said, such as returning parks to local communities.

North Platte Sen. Tom Hansen spoke in opposition to the bill, saying a 25 percent fee increase could discourage potential park users from purchasing a permit.

Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins said the Commission could avoid raising fees by selling publicly-owned land and ceasing land acquisitions.

A Natural Resources Committee amendment, adopted 31-2, would require placement of park permits on the driver’s side of vehicle windshields.

Schuyler Sen. Chris Langemeier, chairperson of the committee, said the amendment would aid those who work in park inspection booths, which are on the left side of vehicles.

LB421 advanced from general file on a 29-4 vote.