Commission to vote on park cabin fee increases

Weekend fees for renting some state park cabins could be increasing. The topic is expected to go vote by the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting in Wichita on Thursday.

Linda Lanterman, Kansas’ state park director, said the agency will probably ask commissioners to increase fees at state park cabins that see 60-percent or more occupancy rates on weekends, during peak spring and summer camping seasons. Though figures aren’t currently exact, Lanterman said fees could go up $20 for the cabins that usually must be rented for Saturday and Sunday. Weekend rates currently range from $70-$220 per cabin, depending on size and location.

Other topics to be discussed at the meeting include:

•  Possible changes in the duck hunting zone boundaries, particularly the southeast duck zone.

•  Dates for the 2005-16 waterfowl seasons.

•  Upcoming changes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will implement so Kansas must set upcoming waterfowl season earlier in the year. Most are currently voted upon in August.

•  Establishing the Arkansas River as a National Water Trail, as has been done on the Kansas River. If so established, it could lead to more access points and better facilities along the river that’s open to public use.

•  The current state, and possible spread, of zebra mussels in Kansas.

Thursday’s meeting is at the Great Plains Nature Center. Sessions begin at 1 and 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to comment on agenda items as they’re discusses. Non-agenda items can be addressed at the start of the afternoon or evening sessions.

The meeting is scheduled to be shown, online at ksoutdoors.com. For more information, call 620-672-5911 or go to ksoutdoors.com

This story was originally published April 18, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Commission to vote on park cabin fee increases."