Port 2 increasing fees at County Line Park

Commissioners of Port District 2 on May 21 agreed to raise camping rates $2 at County Line Park effective this Saturday.

Port Manager Jeff Smith proposed the increases, saying current rates of $13 for tents and $23 for recreational vehicles are great bargains and that the increase would put rates in line with the winter rates at Skamokawa Vista Park. The new rates would be $15 and $25 per night, respectively.

Commissioners adopted other recommendations from Smith for County Line: They set a maximum stay at 21 days, increased by $5 the fees for an extra car, to $10, and for an extra tent, to $10.

Smith also recommended adding language stating that campers need a seven-day interval between visits, and longer stays, not to exceed 27 days, must be approved by the port manager.

Smith suggested changes for Vista Park, including increasing fees for shelters by $10 to $45, limiting stays to 21 days, and limiting monthly campers to a 12-month maximum. Smith re-commended the changes would become effective October 1, which is considered the start of a new camping season, and the port commissioners took no action on the proposed Vista Park changes.

In other business:

--Commissioners adopted a resolution establishing a policy that allows port district employees four free camping days per calendar year.

--Smith announced that the district is implementing a new website with improved software to handle camping reservations;

--Smith said he would consult county officials about sharing the cost of water system improvements at County Line Park. The port has a contract with the county to operate the park and the county has budgeted $44,000 for capital improvements there. Improvements which the port consider necessary to the water system will exceed that amount, and port commissioners want to know if more funds could be available.