Commissioners oppose TWRA’s proposed permit fee increases

TOP PHOTO: CORA’s Board Chair Bill Stanley addressed county commissioners on Monday evening regarding CORA’s stance on the newly proposed TWRA permit fees for OHV riding on the North Cumberland WMA.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- County Commissioners passed a resolution on Monday evening in opposition to the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s proposed permit fee increases that will be voted on by the agency in early December. These fee increases include OHV permit fees for riding off road trails in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, which some business owners in Campbell County say will impact tourism and revenue negatively.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: See the full listing of proposed fees and the increases HERE from WLAF’s Charlotte Underwood.

At last week’s commission workshop, Commissioner Tyler King presented fellow commissioners with a “symbolic resolution opposing the TWRA price hikes.” This was unanimously approved by commissioners on Monday.

The proclamation states “Whereas the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has proposed price hikes for hunting and fishing license and OHV permits effective July 1st 2025, and Whereas these increases will adversely affect tourism, which is a vital sector of Campbell County’s economy deterring visitors from exploring our natural beauty, and Whereas the higher fees will disproportionately affect the low-income families and individuals and youth, limiting access to outdoor recreation and exacerbating economic disparities, and Whereas the Campbell County Commission recognizes the importance of affordable outdoor activities for residents and tourists alike, now therefore be it resolved that the Campbell County Commission strongly opposes the proposed price hikes by the TWRA agency.”

At last week’s commission workshop, multiple members of the public, including business stakeholders, spoke in opposition to the fee increase and asked the commission to “make their voices heard” to the TWRA.

Commissioners said they planned on sending copies of the resolution to State Senator Ken Yager and State Representative Dennis Powers. Campbell County officials also plan on collaborating with other counties that may be affected by the TWRA’s proposed fee increase on the WMA and plan on sending the resolution to the TWRA commission.

Members of the Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association (CORA) have also drafted a response letter to the TWRA’s fee increase proposal.

Bill Stanley, CORA’s Board chair attended Monday’s commission meeting and gave a brief presentation explaining CORA’S stance on the issue.

CORA is asking the TWRA to consider a more “middle stream proposal” that put a resident annual permit at $100, not $200 and puts nonresident at $250, rather than $500” which the agency is proposing.

CORA also suggested the agency add a 7-day permit option, a youth permit option, among other suggestions.

According to Stanley, CORA’S letter was sent to the TWRA on Monday, November. 18th.

“I appreciate Bill and CORA and what you’ve done; we’ve drafted something ourselves… It’s not just going to hurt our residents, it’s going to hurt our tourism coming in,” said Commissioner Rusty Orick, explaining he felt it would hurt the county’s hotel/motel tax revenue.

Stanley agreed, saying that riding on the WMA was an “economic hub” for Campbell County.

County Mayor Jack Lynch, County Commission Chair Johnny Bruce, and Commissioners Rusty Orick and Dewayne Kitts say they plan on attending the TWRA’s meeting that will be held December 5-6 in Memphis.  Members of CORA will also be attending the TWRA meeting in Memphis in December. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-11/19/2024-6AM)