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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Game and Fish Commission Sept. 11 voted to begin the public process to increase the fees on licenses and big game tags.
Fees would be increased for Class A, G, F, B, C, D, E, H and U licenses. Surcharges would be added to those licenses that currently do not have them.
Fees would be increased for the trout stamp, state waterfowl stamp, and a fee established for the new state migratory bird stamp.
Fees would be increased for tags for javelina, turkey, bear, mountain lion, deer, antelope, elk, and bighorn sheep. The permit (drawing) application fee would also be increased. All increases would be effective Jan. 1, 2001, except fees for hunt permit-tags, the state migratory bird stamp, the state waterfowl stamp, and the permit application fee, which would be effective July 1, 2000.
For instance, the current cost of a resident fishing license is $12. The fee increase and $2 surcharge would increase that license fee to $18. The current Class G general hunting license for residents is $18. The proposed increase, including the $2 surcharge, would be $25.50.
The majority of license fees have been at ceiling since Jan. 1, 1991. Fees for most big game tags have been established since 1983. Game and Fish officials said that it became apparent with the 1998 biannual budget request that the agency could not maintain operations three years out without an increase in license fees.
The Game and Fish Commission, therefore, made the decision to introduce legislation to raise the ceiling on fees. That legislation died in committee, but the sportsmen in the state took up the cause. The Wildlife Conservation Advisory Council decided it was important to show their support as "payers" and were able to get a Game and Fish fee-increase bill passed by the Legislature.
Anyone can obtain a copy of the entire proposal including the fee schedule by writing to the following address for written comments, or sending a FAX to 602 789-3677 requesting a copy and providing a mailing address with the request. Written comments on the proposed fee increases will be accepted through Nov. 19 and can be submitted to: Sue Alandar, Rules Section Manager, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2221 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023.
Public hearings are scheduled for the following dates and locations:
Tucson – Nov. 9, 6 p.m., Arizona State Office Complex, Room 158, 400 W. Congress;
Phoenix – Nov. 10, 6 p.m., Wyndham Garden Hotel, 2641 W. Union Hills Dr.;
Flagstaff – Nov. 15, 6 p.m., Arizona Game and Fish Department offices, 3500 Lake Mary Rd.;
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will hold an additional public hearing and may take action to amend the rules at its meeting starting 9:30 a.m. Jan. 21, 2000 in the department’s Wildlife Building located on the Arizona State Fairgrounds on McDowell and 17th Ave.
Uploaded: 9/18/1999
Uploaded: 9/18/1999