Water Gap - Proposed Entrance Fees

[NJSquatch]

NPS is proposing a park entrance fee for all activites as part of the Visitor Use Management Plan update.

The proposed overall entrance fee would be $25 per car/$20 per motorcycle. A seven-day pass would be $15 per person. A seasonal pass would be $45.

More information
https://www.njherald.com/news/201910...erall-user-fee

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/documen...cumentID=99017

Map of the recreation area
https://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/maps.htm

[thmyorke1]

How do they plan to enforce it? I could see how they can just set up pay-for-parking at certain lots. Not all of them and just some of the more touristy spots.
I dont see any other way to enforce it.

Doesnt sound like an evil thing to just pay people to park in the high traffic areas and put that money into more park maintenance, but if they go overboard and lock down the whole place it's ridiculous and I can see already this wont be respected.

[Dave B.]

Thanks for posting this 'Squatch. I was going to do so last night but I fell asleep.

The entire visitor use management proposal is available for viewing at the link Squatch posted. The public comment period is currently open but only comments made via their website or by phone are accepted, no email comments will be accepted.

Personally I don't see how they could enforce this on the NJ side of the river at least since there are both state WMA lands within the NP as well as a private campground. On the Pa side there's not much beyond Rt 209 and a few roads that come down to it, all of which could be gated and monitored.

Definitely a BS proposal IMHO.

[Hookmanski]

$25 a day is a pretty crazy price. I think a lot of people would go to cheaper places like Spruce Run or Round Valley if they had to pay that much.

Also, 20 more campsites? I love camping and giving more access to the area would be cool, but also 20 more places people can ruin with garbage...

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by Hookmanski

Also, 20 more campsites? I love camping and giving more access to the area would be cool, but also 20 more places people can ruin with garbage...

charging a fee will more than likely keep the POS riff raff away. I wouldn't be surprised if the locals are all for this... that place gets trashed every weekend in the summer...

[akoop]

As sportsmen we pay our hunting & fishing license fees but other outdoor activities such as hiking, photography, mountain biking, etc encounter no extra fees but they get to access the same areas. Maybe a reduced fee for licensed hunters & anglers. I know NJ was once thinking about a recreation permit for non-licensed hunters and anglers to use the WMAs. This makes sense to me, if the land is purchased and maintained through the license purchases then why should non-licensed activities benefit without contributing?

[Drossi]

Originally Posted by akoop

As sportsmen we pay our hunting & fishing license fees but other outdoor activities such as hiking, photography, mountain biking, etc encounter no extra fees but they get to access the same areas. Maybe a reduced fee for licensed hunters & anglers. I know NJ was once thinking about a recreation permit for non-licensed hunters and anglers to use the WMAs. This makes sense to me, if the land is purchased and maintained through the license purchases then why should non-licensed activities benefit without contributing?

Agreed. i'm tired of paying my license fees to fish on WMA and NPS land in NJ while others get to use (and abuse) them for free.

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by akoop

As sportsmen we pay our hunting & fishing license fees but other outdoor activities such as hiking, photography, mountain biking, etc encounter no extra fees but they get to access the same areas. Maybe a reduced fee for licensed hunters & anglers. I know NJ was once thinking about a recreation permit for non-licensed hunters and anglers to use the WMAs. This makes sense to me, if the land is purchased and maintained through the license purchases then why should non-licensed activities benefit without contributing?

The issue here is that this is Federal property. I would imagine they are going to get a lot of push back from the hunting and fishing community.

[akoop]

Originally Posted by NJSquatch

The issue here is that this is Federal property. I would imagine they are going to get a lot of push back from the hunting and fishing community.

But isn't the Flatbrook WMA enclosed in that area too?

[sbalewitz74]

I think the movie goodfellas had it right, "business is slow, fu** you pay me, the building got struck by lightning, fu** you pay me, Oh you want to fish in nj, fu** you, pay me twice!!!!