If you haven't read about it in the papers, you should know that the WA State Parks & Rec Commission is moving to charge "day use" fees for vehicle parking at our state parks. To many of us, that's a fishing hole, and an additional few bucks a day added to our other fees. There may be an annual pass option, but it could be high too!

The parks need funds for maintenance, but the legislature won't cough up general fund money, so the commission sees no alternative but to start charging at the gate (new gates apparently, in most areas). We are one of the last states to adopt day fees, so it may be hard to fight.

We should write our legislators but for now, email the commission (bill.gansberg@parks.wa.gov) with your comments. They will meet again on March 22, and will take input until then.

They had a public hearing in Lacey on January 25, and only one "public" showed up!