‘Gray areas’ surround parking and camping fees at some recreation sites

BIG LAKE — At least one area resident is concerned with a perceived differences in rules, regulations and charged fees at Alaska recreation sites. Jacob Philbin of Wasilla is upset with the responses from state Department of Natural Resources officials regarding differences between state run sites and those run by contracted providers.

Among his concerns are parking and camping checkout times, overnight parking in day-use lots, boat launch-vehicle parking concerns and contracted concessions, especially at the state’s two Big Lake recreation areas. Both are serviced by contracted provider Great Holiday Campgrounds. While some of those are explainable, a few are “gray areas,” according to state officials.

Alaska began contracting with private business owners to provide operation and maintenance services at many of its publicly held sites back in the early 1990s. According to DNR officials, the move was a way for the state to cut costs and help out the private sector by giving it an opportunity to manage the parks. That has become more important in recent years as the state continues battling with budget woes.

The Mat-Su Copper Basin region of the state has highest number of contracted camping sites in the state with 17-28 locations run privately. The Northern-Interior Region sports 22 similar sites with seven operating under contracted services.

According to the state Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation’s website, all fees — regardless if state or contract operated — have a minimum and maximum fee for state park access. Nightly camping runs $10-45 per night, daily parking $5-10 per vehicle, boat launches $10-20 per day, sanitary dump station fees $5-10, firewood bundles $8 maximum, historic sites guided tours $6-30.

A vast majority of daily parking fees at state recreation areas, historic parks, management areas, and recreational sites come in at $5 per vehicle. With the exception of one contracted site, that fee sits at $7 with Montana Creek charging $10. There are seven sites that tack on a $10 overnight fee parking fee — both state run and contracted. Seven of those are in the Mat-Su region. Camping fees vary with almost all contract-run sites tacking on an additional $5 per night. The charged fee can be by vehicle or site.

Wayne Biessel, state Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation superintendent of the Mat-Su/Copper River Basin Area, said awarded contractors are taking on the operation and maintenance of a site to make a profit while at the same time, saving the state coffers. He said regarding charged fees, as long as a contractor stays within the above-mentioned figures, they are not violating the agreement. State guidelines allow contractors to offer additional service such as concessions and watercraft rentals.

“Big Lake (sites) are small facilities and usually bursting at the seams,” Biessel said.

Because of the limited parking and camping at the two sites, Biessel said camping checkout times are more strictly enforced and are subject to site by site guidelines. He said locations that take site reservations are usually stricter with checkout times. Both Big Lake sites do allow for site reservations. The same holds true for day parking.

Concerning Philbin’s boat launch and related vehicle parking queries, Biessel said a boat launch pass includes one day of parking for the vehicle and trailer with the affixed pass. One of Philbin’s concerns included putting his boat in the water, parking the vehicle and trailer in a designated spot, staying out overnight before coming back to shore the following day. Biessel said that may be an area needing clarification, one of the gray areas.

“From an enforcement standpoint, one day of parking is one day of parking,” Biessel said. “Our plan is to get things black and white.”

All state officials contacted said it’s best to check ahead if there’s questions or concerns at any of the state recreation areas.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com