Hearing held on plan to change state park fees

Tucumcari recently hosted a New Mexico State Parks meeting to discuss the possibility of implementing new fees for all state parks.

The meeting was held on March 6 at Mesalands Community College’s wind energy center. The new fees, announced earlier this month, are being suggested due to inflation, lack of upgrades and low employment rates. Between 10 and 15 people attended.

CJ Wiegel, a member of the State Parks Advisory Board, said he understands the necessity of increasing fees.

“(I didn’t realize) the need to increase our fees (and the need) to modernize our out-of-date structure,” Wiegel said.

He said the increase in fees will tremendously benefit state parks, which include Ute Lake in Logan and Conchas Lake northwest of Tucumcari.

“(This will) 100% help our organization,” Wiegel said. “It will raise more than $5 million in revenue to make the parks a better place for all of us.”

Wiegel said the biggest problem in this process is going to be increasing camping fees.

“The input from the community showed that the increase of overnight camping fees is a real thorn from a lot of people,” he said.

Valerie Mavis, who attended the meeting, said the state presented well-thought-out information.

“(There was) good reasoning from the state, who did their homework,” she said.

She said raising the average price for all campsites is one of the largest issues.

“(I see an issue with) paying the same to camp on dirt here in Logan for the same price as shelter, cement pad, table and grill,” Mavis said.

The other issue she saw was the elimination of annual passes in New Mexico.

“No more annual passes, even for residents, makes it less likely for locals to camp,” she said. “I think it will lead to more day-use and less camping.”

Dusty Knapp, an attendee, said he thinks the proposed price increases are past due.

“They should have changed their prices a long time ago,” he said.

He said the worst part of the plan is the change to camping fees.

“(The) most negative thing would be the $20 overnight fees for tents and campers,” Knapp said.