ELY — The Superior National Forest wants to significantly increase fees for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Fees are $8 per youth per trip and $16 per adult per trip. The Forest wants to more than double those to $20 and $40.
The Forest said revenue from additional fees would improve portages, entry points and campsites. It would also help fund additional seasonal staff.
"The Superior National Forest has not raised fees since 2008," the Forest Service stated. "In that time, wilderness ranger staffing and maintenance costs for points of entry, portages and campsites have increased substantially."
Public comment on the fee proposal is open through Sept. 2, and implementation is expected in 2027.
There will also be an open house 4-6 p.m. in Ely on July 14, a virtual open house from 4-6 p.m. July 15 and an open house from 4-6 p.m. in Grand Marais on July 22.
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