Camping fees going up again!

[Cuba Libre]

Had enough of this bunch in Victoria yet??

Camping fees to increase across B.C.
Provincial park users will pay as much as $30 a night starting April 1, government says
By JONATHAN FOWLIE, Vancouver SunMarch 19, 2010Comments (128)
StoryPhotos ( 1 )
It will soon cost as much as $30 per night to camp in provincial parks in British Columbia.Photograph by: Dario Ayala, Canwest News ServiceVICTORIA — It will soon cost as much as $30 per night to camp in provincial parks in British Columbia.

Environment Minister Barry Penner said Friday that park fees across the province are going up April 1, to as much as double the current amounts.

“Our costs have continued to go up to deliver the service, and revenues to government continue to go down, so with that equation — plus increased spending on health care and education — that means there’s less dollars for other areas,” Penner said.

“We believe users should pay a portion of the costs that are incurred by their choice to use campgrounds,” he said.

“The alternative is to divert money from other government functions like health care, or run a bigger deficit.”

The overnight fee for basic and moderate camp sites will increase to between $19 and $21, up from $15-$16.

Camping fees in developed campgrounds will increase by between eight and 15 per cent, Penner said, rising to between $28 and $30 from $26.

“We’ve tried to provide people with low-cost options, but for the sites with the highest level of service, in those areas with the highest level of demand, those sites will be at the price of $30,” Penner said.

Adult premium backcountry fees will rise to $10 per night from $5.

Sites affected by that increase include Garibaldi, Cathedral, Berg Lake (Mount Robson), Wells Grey, Juan de Fuca, Strathcona, Cape Scott, Mount Assiniboine, Kokanee Glacier and Bugaboo.

Premium backcountry fees for youths and adult backcountry fees for other parks will remain unchanged at $5 per night, Penner said.

Other fees will also increase.

It will now cost $12 per night for a moor buoy, up from $10. The cost for RV users to dump waste into a sani-station goes to $5 from $2.

New Democratic Party critic Rob Fleming said the increases are being imposed at the same time that the government is cutting back funding for parks.

“People are getting really annoyed and concerned with the state of B.C.’s parks,” Fleming said. “Now they’re getting charged more for a parks system that’s never been in worse shape.”

The budget for parks in B.C. has dropped steadily over the past three years, going from $33.9 million in 2008-09 to a projected $30.8 million for 2010-11.

“They’ve cut the parks budget so significantly over a number of years, and continue to do so, that they’re literally driving people to pursue camping opportunities in Alberta and Washington state,” Fleming said.

Penner also said a new reservation system will be in place April 1, allowing campers for the first time to reserve specific camp sites.

He said that even with higher fees, B.C. parks are still generally cheaper than most private-sector camping areas, and that they are competitive with public-sector campgrounds in other jurisdictions.

“B.C. parks continue to represent fantastic value,” Penner said, “and that’s something we can all be proud about.”

jfowlie@vancouversun.com

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

20ft Alumaweld Intruder

 

[dohboy]

i wont pay to camp!!!
and for those that do this would be a total **** off

 

[Bag-Juan]

This province is in the toilet, don't forget to put the seat down after you flush!!!

... Are fishermen all liars?
Or do only liars fish?

 

[island idiots]

And the result will be:

1) People will camp anywhere they can do so for free, resulting in more "unofficial" campsites and everything that goes with them.
2) People will dump their sani tanks into the environment instead of using the sani dump.
3)All of this will result in more locked gates to the back country to prevent abuse, preventing access to "our land" for the general public.


Now that's something to be proud of. [V]

Its the same for dump fees. Garbage gets dumped in the woods for free, instead of paying outrages anounts to use the dump.




"We must strive to touch the land gently and care for it as true stewards, that those who follow us and assess our record may see that our mark on the land was one of respect and love, not cruelty and disdain."
-Robert B. Oetting

 

[dohboy]

it really hurts the familys more than anything, they are the ones who wouldnt adventure down the logging roads, and usually stick close to home (goldstream etc..)
they just want to get the kids out and now that will cost more, probably mean more and more people wont get to experience what this beautiful country has to offer
i dont think it will deter that many tourists, they are on trip and are usually prepared to spend some money, so the extra cash probably wont change their plans

 

[Steelhead S2]

Why not intro different rates for those from out of province? Just like with fishing licenses.

 

[Cuba Libre]

quote:The cost for RV users to dump waste into a sani-station goes to $5 from $2.

Island Idiot has it right...
Guess what this means to Beautiful BC ??? I can imagine the smell now.

20ft Alumaweld Intruder

 

[adrianna3]

That's what BC stands for: BRING CASH!!

 

[TheBigGuy]

With these fee increases far more people will stay at private sites (where that is an option). $30 for a developed park site are they joking. Many private campgrounds have hot showers, laundry, full hydro, water, sewer, TV, Internet, plus moorage and fuel for your boat. Many private sites also are very close to the water or even waterfront. Most provincial sites you can't even see the water from where you're camped. Developed Provincial sites have next to none of the amenities of most private campgrounds by comparison. What a bad joke.

To me if they need to raise revenue to support the parks the extra money should be coming from non residents. We already pay a huge tax bill that in part pays to support the park system. If tourists wish to use these facilities they should pay a premium. This is already an accepted practice for fishing licences and our medical system for travellers. Why should our tax dollars be used to subsidize tourists to give them a cheap way to travel. For that matter why should the constant ferry rate increases be borne on the residents backs. If not an outright different fee schedule, how about a rebate on these services (with receipts) when you have to pay that outrageous tax bill at the end of the year.

 

[TheBigGuy]

Oh ya, I forgot another thing private campgrounds have. Freezer facilities for your fish. I can't remember the last time I saw a provincial "developed campground" with freezers for your catch.