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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, October 19, 2009 Car tab fees may help keep state parks open By Noah Haglund Herald Writer Early this year, the threat of closing the Wallace Falls trails near Gold Bar and other Washington state parks loomed as a possible way to deal with budget cuts. A new system for car tab renewals that took effect in September appears to be making such temporary closures less likely. State officials hope to generate an extra $28 million over the next two years. While the initial results look promising, there’s still a long way to go. “We’ll have to wait to see how it goes long-term,” state parks spokeswoman Virginia Painter said. “The budget direction we received from the Legislature and the governor was, ‘Keep the parks open, and watch the donation program to see what happens.’” An extra $5 fee started appearing on vehicle registration renewals sent out in August. The donation is included in the final total, where it can look like a mandatory fee. Vehicle owners can opt out by checking a box and then subtracting five bucks from the amount sent in. In September, state parks collected $1.4 million, including some donations that carried over from the previous two months. They typically raised about $50,000 per month under the old system, Painter said. To stay on track, they need to average about $1.25 million per month through mid-2011. This revenue-raising idea emerged as the Legislature pared money from every state agency in order to close a $9 billion gap in the state’s two-year budget. State parks took a $52 million hit. One option for coping, since abandoned, was mothballing up to a third of the 121 parks throughout the Evergreen State. Another part of the State Parks and Recreation Commission’s strategy was transferring parks to cities and counties. So far, the only changeover has been Wenberg State Park on Lake Goodwin. Snohomish County took it over on July 16. “By and large, everything went remarkably well,” county parks director Tom Teigen said. “Basically, the boat launch went well. The park was very heavily attended because it was a gorgeous summer.” Reservations were steady throughout the summer, he said. On a few occasions, park rangers referred people there when camping facilities at Kayak Point and Flowing Lake county parks were full. Things at Wenberg have mostly stayed the same under the county, other than a new $5 gate fee and a no-alcohol rule. Teigen said feedback has been positive. “I had a few comments about the alcohol change, but nowhere near what I expected,” he said. “We had more young families that expressed thanks that there wasn’t going to be alcohol present.” A dozen other state park transfers remain under discussion, said Painter, the state parks spokeswoman. The most advanced is Osoyoos Lake State Park near the Canadian border, which the parks commission has authorized Oroville to take over. A transfer could happen there in the next few months. Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Log in or register to post new comment | Log out ? Car tabs support for Sno-Isle Library How about an optional opt out car tab fee for Sno_Isle Library support? I would much prefer this option to an increased tax levy. If successful we could propose similar optional car tab fees on other "needs" such as saving historic buildings. kenneth andrews | Oct 19, 2009 6:26 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Talk about a BARGAIN! WA state parks are not only a great place to get away, they are also a way to help stimulate our local economy. Our family camps at different state parks throughout the year and we constantly see lots of out of state (mainly BC) plates. Those folks come here for our superb park system and they spend their money at local shops, bars and grocery stores. They by fuel and propane but most important of all, they tell their friends about what a wonderful time they have in WA State Parks. That drives even MORE visitors to our parks. Some of you can be greedy about $5-, but if you had any sense you'd get State Park license plates to help support the parks even more. Your business, and your job, will see the benefits. Jeff Craig | Oct 19, 2009 5:35 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Talk about MISAPPROPRIATION ... Tab fees are for what one more time? . Yeah: The transportation infrastructure, and NOT parks. . I will be guessing that the idea of 'USER FEES' is something of such a novel idea, that it hasn't been thought of yet by the powers that be? . Hmm, yes: Take money away from where it's needed to please an exceedingly small segment of the population in order to CURRY FAVOR for election day, right? . Ed Totty | Oct 19, 2009 1:28 am | 1 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal State Park fee on tabs Although we only use the state parks three or four times a year,they are far superior for we RV'rs compared to private parks.They are comparable in site fees but are better maintained and the spaces are much larger than those in private parks. That's been our experience in the Wenatchee area. We are certainly willing to chip in an additional 5 bucks to keep em' open! Jack Mears | Oct 19, 2009 8:10 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal This is bunk The state ended the user fees and need to restart them. I have to have an ORV tab for my ORV and pay the annual fee so that I can ride on the trails. If hikers, horseback riders, boaters and others want to use the trails and stuff then they should have to pay to help maintain them as well. Bring back the the FEE. Some cities in eastern WA already have done so. Electric City you have to have a permit to launch your boat into Banks Lake. How bout the City of Everett and Snohomish requiring a permit to launch into the river or sound? Bring back the use fee and not make it so we have to opt out of pay an additional $5 fee for our car tabs. They are high enough already. STOP STEALING THE NOVE FUNDS!!!!! R West | Oct 19, 2009 7:44 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Misinformed as usual Ed, The FEES are not for the parks, the OPTIONAL $5 DONATION you can VOLUNTEER to pay is for the parks.........get your facts straight before you rant. And have a nice day. :) Joe Citizen | Oct 19, 2009 7:38 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

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