Public comments sought on refuge use permit fee

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex is accepting comments on the proposed fee structure for the initiation of refuge user fees.
Since 1981, the service has had authority to collect recreation fees. Since 1997, the service has been able to retain fees collected at authority of Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA). The FLREA was established to provide funding for recreation program improvements.
The fee rates proposed by SELA are as follows:
—$20 Annual Public Use Permit for Bayou Sauvage, Big Branch Marsh, Bogue Chitto and Delta National Wildlife Refuges.
—$5 Daily Public Use Permit for Bayou Sauvage, Big Branch Marsh, Bogue Chitto and Delta National Wildlife Refuges.
—$20 Annual Public Use Permit for Bayou Teche, Cat Island and Mandalay National Wildlife Refuges.
—$5 Daily Public Use Permit for Bayou Teche, Cat Island and Mandalay National Wildlife Refuges.
—$40 Lottery Alligator Tags on Atchafalaya, Bayou Sauvage, Bayou Teche, Bogue Chitto, Delta and Mandalay National Wildlife Refuges.
A fee analysis have been conducted by SELA with fee proposed being based on rates requested on nearby public lands. SELA is proposing to make fee changes effective Sept. 1, 2020. Collected fees will be used to maintain and promote visitor amenities on SELA public use locations. These amenities include activities such as road and parking lot maintenance, informational brochures, public outreach and educational programs, law enforcement support, etc. The proposal provides for annual public use permit sales to be conducted through RecAccess, the online Service vendor along with permit sales at the SELA Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center located in Lacombe.
The legal harvest of surplus alligators is a useful tool for managing these renewable wildlife resources. SELA is proposing a Lottery Alligator Harvest Program, very similar to the Lottery Alligator Harvest Program on public lakes and State Wildlife Management Areas.
SELA is interested in hearing from the public affected by the changes proposed and is requesting public comments beginning Dec. 9, 2019 – Jan. 9, 2020. SELA requests comments to be as specific as possible with an explanation of the comments basis. In addition, please include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you reference or provide. Such information may lead to a final decision that differs from this proposal.
Proposed public forum include Dec. 11, 5 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Library: Franklin Branch; 206 Iberia St, Franklin, LA 70538; (337) 828-5364
Submit written comments to Project Leader, Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex, 61389 Hwy 434, Lacombe, LA 70445. All relevant comments and additional information will be reviewed and considered before a final decision is made on the implementation of the proposed fee structure and permit processing. All comments and recommendations, including names and addresses, will become part of the public administrative record.