Fees at B.C. parks going up

It's going to cost more to enjoy provincial parks in B.C., with rates going up on everything from basic camping fees to emptying RV sewage tanks.

The fee increases starting April 1 are the first in two years and are necessary because of higher costs and a drop in overall government revenues, said Environment Minister Barry Penner.

The minister also announced that for the first time in B.C., campers will be able to use a reservation system to book specific camping sites.

Some of the fee changes announced include:

• Camping fees for basic sites will increase to $16 from $15 per night, and moderate sites will increase to $21 from $19 per night.
• Camping fees in some developed campgrounds will increase to $28 from $26 and to $30 from $26 for highest-demand sites with the highest levels of service.
• Premium backcountry fees for adults will increase from to $10 from $5 at Garibaldi, Cathedral, Berg Lake (Mount Robson), Wells Grey, Juan de Fuca, Strathcona, Cape Scott, Mount Assiniboine, Kokanee Glacier and Bugaboo. Fees for youth 13-18 yrs old will remain at $5 per night.
• Backcountry fees in 33 parks, including E.C. Manning, Wells Gray and Tweedsmuir, will remain at $5 per night.
• Mooring buoy fees will increase to $12 from $10.
• Sani-station fees will increase to $5 from $2 per discharge.