Fee change pitched at South Fork of the Snake River access sites

IDAHO FALLS — The Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office, U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and Bonneville, Jefferson and Madison counties are seeking public comment on an interagency proposal to change usage fees at 10 developed boat access sites on the South Fork of the Snake River and Main Snake River in southeast Idaho.

The proposed fees will enable the agencies and partners to improve services and amenities at the sites, ensuring they remain operational for years to come. Although maintenance costs have increased, fees at the boater access sites have not changed in more than 20 years.

Current fees for use of the 10 developed boat access sites, unchanged in 24 years, have been $3 per vehicle/per day, $30 for a single season pass, or $45 for a double season pass.

The rising cost of materials and labor, combined with increasing demand, has made it difficult to keep up routine maintenance and improvements.

The current proposal would change the vehicle day fee from $3 to $5, and the season passes would increase to $40 for a single season pass and $55 for a double season pass.