Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 24, 2002
For more information:  Amy Urban, 773-4235

ENTRANCE LICENSE REQUIRED JULY 1 AT THREE MISSOURI RIVER PARKS

PIERRE – The Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission has approved adding the state’s park entrance license fee at three additional recreation areas along the Missouri River.

The park entrance fee requirement was finalized at the April GFP Commission meeting for three Missouri River recreation areas: Springfield Recreation Area, near the city of Springfield on Lewis and Clark Lake; Buryanek Recreation Area, near the Platte-Winner bridge on Lake Francis Case; and West Pollock Recreation Area, near the city of Pollock on northern Lake Oahe. This rule change will require motor vehicle operators to purchase and affix a valid annual or daily park entrance license to their vehicle before entering the recreation areas. 

Annual state park licenses cost $20 and are good at all state park and recreation areas. Daily fees are $5 per vehicle per day or $3 per person per day. The state park entrance license will be in lieu of the former Corps of Engineers’ boat launch fee at West Pollock.

The fee requirement will go into effect July 1, 2002.

Revenue from park license fees will be used for the maintenance and upkeep of the areas. "These areas will have significant improvements to modernize facilities and keep pace with current recreational demands," said Doug Hofer, state parks director.

Springfield Recreation Area recently added additional electrical outlets in the campground, comfort station and new playground equipment. Buryanek Recreation Area added two camping cabins and 22 additional campsites with electrical hookups for a total of 43 electric sites. The Buryanek boat ramp parking lot is being expanded and a comfort station and fish cleaning station are being added. A fish cleaning station, comfort station and 30-site campground with electrical hookups will be developed this summer at West Pollock. 

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