OLYMPIA – The state House passed a measure today to help keep state parks open to the public despite deep cuts to the parks system budget in the upcoming two-year period.
By a vote of 55 to 42, the House voted to approve Senate Bill 5622, a bipartisan measure to institute a user-fee to help fund state parks operations.
“This is about keeping our state parks open for the people of Washington,” said Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D – Sequim), who sponsored the House version of bill. “Our state is facing a budget crisis, and we need to fund schools and health care ahead of parks right now. But with this bill, we’ve found a way for people to continue to enjoy the outdoor recreational opportunities offered by parks across the state.”
Through this legislation, Washington joins 41 other states across the nation that have some type of user-fee system for state parks, including neighboring states Idaho and Oregon. Visitors can purchase a $30 annual pass that provides access not only to state parks, but recreational lands managed by the state Department of Natural Resources and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Instead of the annual pass, visitors can also pay a $10 day-use fee.
“We need to figure out new ways of doing things through this crisis,” said Rep. Zack Hudgins (D – Tukwila), who chairs the House General Government Appropriations & Oversight Committee. “The bill before us fills the hole by having the folks who use the parks pay for the parks.”
Hudgins also pointed out that the legislation allows for 12 days each year when the public can enter the parks for free. Three of those days are mandated to be on weekends.
Despite passing the Senate with plenty of bipartisan support, only majority Democrats voted for the measure in the House.
Van De Wege, whose district includes the popular Fort Flagler, Fort Worden and Lake Sylvia State Parks, says the bill’s passage is a victory for those who have feared the mothballing of state parks in advance of the summer season.
“The truth is, our parks system is losing $60 million of general fund support, and that amount of money can’t be made up by simply raising campsite fees. In fact, 90 percent of state parks visitors are day users, so it makes sense that they should contribute to keeping the parks open,” Van De Wege said.