Fish and Wildlife proposes annual access pass to fund maintenance of access areas

Summary

The Department of Fish and Wildlife presented a proposal to create a new annual 'conservation' access pass — roughly $18–$20 — for use of department-managed access areas, aiming to broaden the payer base as hunting and fishing license revenue declines; the committee pressed on exemptions, enforcement, equity and revenue projections (about $250,000/year projected after several years).

Jason Dachholder, a Fish and Wildlife commissioner, told the House Ways & Means Committee that the department is proposing a new annual access pass for people who use Fish & Wildlife-managed access areas but do not buy hunting, fishing or motorboat licenses. "This is a Vermont conservation license proposal," Dachholder said during a slide presentation, explaining the change is intended to broaden the payer base for maintenance of fishing access areas, wildlife management areas, fish culture stations and shooting ranges.

Dachholder said license sales that historically funded those lands have declined and that the department faces rising infrastructure and maintenance costs. He told members the proposed pass would be available to residents 18 and older, purchased annually, and likely priced in the $18–$20 range. The department expects to sell the pass via on-site kiosks and…

Fish and Wildlife proposes annual access pass to fund maintenance of access areas

Summary

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