You asked if the recent $ 8. 50 camping fee increase in state parks is due to the privatization of campground services.

SUMMARY

According to the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP), camping fees increased by $ 8. 50 this year due to the transaction fee charged by Reserve America, the private campsite reservation company with which it contracted in 2000. DEP had subsidized the fee until February of this year.

FEE INCREASE

In 2000, DEP contracted with Reserve America, a campsite reservation service that enables people to make reservations via the Internet or by calling a toll-free number. Reserve America applies a transaction fee for each reservation. The state subsidized this fee for the first two years of the contract.

During those two years, the reservation system was well received and the fee was subsequently "passed along to the customer," according to DEP Deputy Commissioner David Leff. Customers have paid the fee since February 1, 2002.

Twelve other states, including New York and Massachusetts, use Reserve America's services.

Attachment one is a copy of the DEP's transaction fee information page. Or see:

http: //www. dep. state. ct. us/whatshap/press/2002/ps0125. htm

Fees

Campground rate scales for the 2002 season, not including the reservation transaction fee, are:

1. $ 11 for inland parks

2. $ 13 for inland parks with swimming

3. $ 15 for shoreline parks

JRH: eh