09-17-2004, 02:54 AM
Changes proposed to state park camping reservation system
MADISON -- Proposed changes to [url http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/]Wisconsin State Park[/url] and Forest camping rules that among other things are intended to help ensure that campsites are either occupied or become available to others who would like to occupy the sites will be the topic of a series of public hearings later this month.
One of the key provisions of the proposed changes, according to Dave Benish, camping program manager for the Wisconsin State Parks program, are requirements for campsite occupancy intended to “reduce the not uncommon practice of saving sites that are not actually being used.”
The State Parks program has received numerous complaints since an [url http://www.reserveamerica.com/client/cli...]automated campsite reservation system[/url] (Exit DNR) was put in place in 1999 that campsites, especially at some of the more popular parks, were all reserved, but that many were unoccupied.
Under the proposed changes, campers who reserve campsites would have to occupy the site by no later than 3 p.m. on the second day of the reservation and every night thereafter. Campers without advanced registration who register for a “first-come” site that cannot be reserved would have to occupy the site the first night of the registration and every night thereafter.
In addition, the rule changes will prohibit the practice of extending a reservation ending date, removing the ability to change departure dates to move the reservation out further into the future.
The proposed changes would also increase camping fees $3 during the peak camping season at eight State Park system properties. Benish says the fee increases are being proposed after local market conditions were studied. The properties include Devil’s Lake, Kohler-Andrae, Mirror Lake, Peninsula, Big Bay, Willow River and Hartman Creek state parks and Point Beach State Forest.
Shelter rental fees, and fees for outdoor group sites with electricity would also be increased.
Other proposed changes would:
* reduce the maximum length of camping stay from 21 to 14 days;
* establish regulations for issuing turkey hunting permits in state parks;
* add State Natural Areas to the list of areas and properties that do not allow air paint ball guns; and
* clarify management policies for the Ice Age National and State Scenic Trail and the North Country National Scenic and State Trail
The hearings will be held:
* Sept. 28
o Madison - 1:30 p.m. in Room 409, State Office Building GEF 3, 125 South Webster St.
* Sept. 30
o Wausau - 1 p.m. in the Wausau Room, Marathon County Public Library, 300 N. First St.,
o Green Bay - 5 p.m. in Room 604, Green Bay City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson St.
The proposed rule may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted at the [url http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov/]Wisconsin Administrative Rules[/url] Internet site. Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. Mail to: Kate Fitzgerald, Bureau of Facilities and Lands, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until Oct. 15, 2004. Written comments whether submitted electronically or by U.S. mail will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearings.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Benish - (608) 264-8960
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MADISON -- Proposed changes to [url http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/]Wisconsin State Park[/url] and Forest camping rules that among other things are intended to help ensure that campsites are either occupied or become available to others who would like to occupy the sites will be the topic of a series of public hearings later this month.
One of the key provisions of the proposed changes, according to Dave Benish, camping program manager for the Wisconsin State Parks program, are requirements for campsite occupancy intended to “reduce the not uncommon practice of saving sites that are not actually being used.”
The State Parks program has received numerous complaints since an [url http://www.reserveamerica.com/client/cli...]automated campsite reservation system[/url] (Exit DNR) was put in place in 1999 that campsites, especially at some of the more popular parks, were all reserved, but that many were unoccupied.
Under the proposed changes, campers who reserve campsites would have to occupy the site by no later than 3 p.m. on the second day of the reservation and every night thereafter. Campers without advanced registration who register for a “first-come” site that cannot be reserved would have to occupy the site the first night of the registration and every night thereafter.
In addition, the rule changes will prohibit the practice of extending a reservation ending date, removing the ability to change departure dates to move the reservation out further into the future.
The proposed changes would also increase camping fees $3 during the peak camping season at eight State Park system properties. Benish says the fee increases are being proposed after local market conditions were studied. The properties include Devil’s Lake, Kohler-Andrae, Mirror Lake, Peninsula, Big Bay, Willow River and Hartman Creek state parks and Point Beach State Forest.
Shelter rental fees, and fees for outdoor group sites with electricity would also be increased.
Other proposed changes would:
* reduce the maximum length of camping stay from 21 to 14 days;
* establish regulations for issuing turkey hunting permits in state parks;
* add State Natural Areas to the list of areas and properties that do not allow air paint ball guns; and
* clarify management policies for the Ice Age National and State Scenic Trail and the North Country National Scenic and State Trail
The hearings will be held:
* Sept. 28
o Madison - 1:30 p.m. in Room 409, State Office Building GEF 3, 125 South Webster St.
* Sept. 30
o Wausau - 1 p.m. in the Wausau Room, Marathon County Public Library, 300 N. First St.,
o Green Bay - 5 p.m. in Room 604, Green Bay City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson St.
The proposed rule may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted at the [url http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov/]Wisconsin Administrative Rules[/url] Internet site. Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. Mail to: Kate Fitzgerald, Bureau of Facilities and Lands, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until Oct. 15, 2004. Written comments whether submitted electronically or by U.S. mail will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearings.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Benish - (608) 264-8960
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