Proposed TWRA fee increases stir those at commission meeting

Resolution opposing TWRA fee increases to be voted on next week

TOP PHOTO: Concerned citizens and business stakeholders voiced concerns to the county commission on Tuesday evening regarding the TWRA’s proposed fee increases.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Campbell County Commissioners heard concerns from multiple citizens regarding the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s proposed OHV fee increases during its Tuesday evening workshop.

Before the public input part of the workshop, County Commissioner Tyler King said he “will have a symbolic resolution opposing the TWRA price hikes” to be voted on at next Monday’s commission meeting. Commissioner King read the resolution aloud.

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

“Whereas the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has proposed price hikes for hunting and fishing license and OHV permits effective July 1^st 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.”

Commissioner Zach Marlow asked if County Mayor Jack Lynch could reach out to other municipalities to see if they would pass the resolution as well. Lynch said he would, and that he would get with other counties that will be affected by this as well.

Multiple members of the public, including business stakeholders, spoke in opposition to the fee increase and asked the commission to “make their voices heard.”

“This is not a slight increase, this is a 150 percent increase for Tennessee residents alone…If approved and the change goes through as is, it will be detrimental. People will go to the neighboring county, even Tennessee residents; it’s gonna push them out,” Michael Vick said. He encouraged the commission to get behind the Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association (CORA) and “what they are proposing”, which is “much more moderate,” according to Vick.

“Talk with CORA, get behind them and help us the riders, we believe it should be fair, but not what they are proposing,” Vick said.

Commissioner Rusty Orick Rusty said he agreed and that the increase was “going to hurt the local people” and the “local economy.”

“I understand where the TWRA is coming from, but this is too much at once,” Orick said, adding that the public “would have to get on the (TWRA) Board’s heartstrings.”

Orick said it would take away tourism dollars and it would also hurt the turkey and deer hunters.

The public asked the commission to “stand behind the residents” that are from here, “that have worked generations to be here”, saying that locals that “live in the area and are born and raised, should get a lifetime pass for very little or free.

The commission heard from an out of state rider from Bell County, Kentucky, who said an increased fee would discourage other out of staters like him from traveling to Campbell County as its riding destination.

LaFollette Restaurant owner Katie Goins said the OHV riders comprised 45 percent of her business and the fee increase would hurt businesses in Campbell County.

Other stake holders such as Ride Royal Blue Campground founder Sheila Westray and Ride Royal Blue Campground owner Justin Jones spoke briefly as well, saying they did not feel that the TWRA’s survey that was done through the University of Tennessee “did not accurately reflect the numbers on the OHV trails in the North Cumberland WMA” and that the study was “not viable” and  that “they can’t quantify how many people come to the WMA, and they can’t quantify how much money is coming in.”

Westray said there was a Tennessee Code that said the TWRA “cannot set fees above the consumer price index” and that the proposed increases came in way above that.

Westray also told commissioners that CORA had a letter that they had drafted and would be sending it to the commission when it was finalized asking for their support.

According to Westray, CORA’s more middle stream proposal put a resident annual at $100, not $200 and puts nonresident at $250, rather than $500.”

“Talking to my customers, they are ok with $250, that’s the sweet spot, if we can keep it at $250, we will not lose customers… I have also found out that in talking to our governor and several senators  and anyone that would give me a listening ear, that the TWRA is a quasi-agency, they are not responsible to anybody but the TFWC and those 13 commissioners will make that decision on the 5^th and 6^th on whether or not they destroy our mountain tourism and it’s as simple as that,” Westray said.

The TWRA Meeting will be held in Memphis Dec. 5 and 6, with the vote taking place on Dec. 6.

Commission Chairman Johnny Bruce, County Mayor Jack Lynch, Commissioner Rusty Orick and Commissioner Dewayne Kitts said they planned to attend the TWRA meeting in Memphis to “speak on behalf of the citizens and on behalf of the county’s revenue stream.”

Commissioners will vote on the resolution opposing the TWRA fee increases at next Monday’s meeting. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-11/13/2024-6AM)