The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission approved its first general fee increase for camping, overnight facilities and watercraft launch services since 2003.

The increases, intended to catch the agency up to market rates and to help close the gap between costs and rising inflation, will become effective immediately for services visitors use beginning Jan. 1, 2007. The new fees will remain in place through 2009. Confirmed reservations already in the system will not be charged the new rates.

In adopting the fee increase the commission follows its budgetary obligation to raise, through fees, approximately one-third of the revenue needed to cover operation costs. The commission reviews fees annually, using a focus group that includes members of the public and park staff, who consider market rates, fees charged by other state park systems, inflation and other costs. The annual fee review keeps the commission apprised of current market information, however, since 2000, the commission has attempted to provide more certainty for the public and to more accurately project operating revenues by adopting fees for a three-year period. The last general fee increase began in 2003.

With the fee increase, camping will be $17 for a standard campsite and $24 for a full-utility site. The watercraft launch fee will be $7. Some parks have an additional popular destination fee of $2 instead of the $1 charged previously, and some premium sites in the system are an additional $5.

The commission manages a diverse system of more than 120 parks and several recreation programs, including trails, boating safety, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The 93-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.