A dry night’s sleep will cost more in state parks
Whether they’re attending family reunions or making weekend getaways, people will pay more for indoor lodging next year at Nebraska state parks. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved the increases during its meeting Thursday at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice.
Increases ranged from $5 to $20, depending upon the size of the cabin and the park. For example, a queen-bed lodge room at Fort Robinson State Park increased from $35 to $40 while a four-bedroom cabin at Mahoney State Park increased from $230 to $250.
The adjusted prices represented increases from 5 percent to 10 percent, said Roger Kuhn, assistant director in charge of parks.
Obviously we’re dealing with an increase in costs,” he said. “We need to take action to keep up with those costs.”
The commission last raised cabin fees in 2002, Kuhn said. Camping fees were excluded from an increase Thursday because they were raised in 2004.
User fees, including lodging and park entry permit sales, bring in about $15 million annually and comprise 75 percent of the state parks’ budget. The remaining 25 percent comes from a general fund appropriation.
The increases are expected to generate an additional $308,000 annually, Kuhn said.
In other business Thursday, commissioners:
n Voted to limit anglers to one rod at the trout lake at Two Rivers State Park. Under a former regulation that allowed the use of two rods, some anglers were tying up longer stretches of bank, limiting access to the lake.
n Set regulations for Bowling Lake in Lincoln that will require catch-and-release for largemouth bass, a 10-fish daily limit for panfish and a three-fish daily limit for catfish. The northwest Lincoln lake is being rehabilitated.
n Approved hunting for some game species in designated areas at Indian Cave, Niobrara and Ponca state parks.
n Changed the name of U.S. West Lake to Qwest Lake at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland.
n Entered an agreement with the Omaha Parks, Recreation and Public Property Department on the development of a 60-acre lake near 192nd Street and West Dodge Road. Through the agreement, the commission will secure $202,500 in federal sportfish restoration funds for the project if the city meets a $67,500 cost-share.
Reach Joe Duggan at 473-7239 or jduggan@journalstar.com.
Increases ranged from $5 to $20, depending upon the size of the cabin and the park. For example, a queen-bed lodge room at Fort Robinson State Park increased from $35 to $40 while a four-bedroom cabin at Mahoney State Park increased from $230 to $250.
The adjusted prices represented increases from 5 percent to 10 percent, said Roger Kuhn, assistant director in charge of parks.
Obviously we’re dealing with an increase in costs,” he said. “We need to take action to keep up with those costs.”
The commission last raised cabin fees in 2002, Kuhn said. Camping fees were excluded from an increase Thursday because they were raised in 2004.
User fees, including lodging and park entry permit sales, bring in about $15 million annually and comprise 75 percent of the state parks’ budget. The remaining 25 percent comes from a general fund appropriation.
The increases are expected to generate an additional $308,000 annually, Kuhn said.
In other business Thursday, commissioners:
n Voted to limit anglers to one rod at the trout lake at Two Rivers State Park. Under a former regulation that allowed the use of two rods, some anglers were tying up longer stretches of bank, limiting access to the lake.
n Set regulations for Bowling Lake in Lincoln that will require catch-and-release for largemouth bass, a 10-fish daily limit for panfish and a three-fish daily limit for catfish. The northwest Lincoln lake is being rehabilitated.
n Approved hunting for some game species in designated areas at Indian Cave, Niobrara and Ponca state parks.
n Changed the name of U.S. West Lake to Qwest Lake at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland.
n Entered an agreement with the Omaha Parks, Recreation and Public Property Department on the development of a 60-acre lake near 192nd Street and West Dodge Road. Through the agreement, the commission will secure $202,500 in federal sportfish restoration funds for the project if the city meets a $67,500 cost-share.
Reach Joe Duggan at 473-7239 or jduggan@journalstar.com.
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