Park to begin charging for access to Provo River near Deer Creek Dam

Park to begin charging for access to Provo River near Deer Creek Dam

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DEER CREEK STATE PARK — A new fee will be applied to access the Provo River in the 2-3 acre area near Deer Creek Dam that is managed by Deer Creek State Park.

The change could take effect as early as the spring of 2016 or as late as 2017, according to Deer Creek State Park manager Dawn Larsen. The amount for the user fee hasn't yet been determined, but Larsen said it will be minimal and will only affect the half-mile area directly below the Deer Creek Dam that is managed by the park. Access to the rest of the Provo River will remain free to the public.

The area is a popular spot for anglers and people launching kayaks and tubes to float the river. Larsen said the new fee was proposed to help cover costs incurred from cleanup and patrol of the area.

"Due to the trash, sanitation issues and law enforcement call load –DUIs, intoxication, other alcohol violations, noise issues, rescues, life jacket violations, trespassing and solicitation — we are getting to the point where we will either close the area completely or manage it in a way that keeps it open," Larsen said. "By adding improvements and charging a minimal fee, we believe we can keep this area open for everyone's enjoyment."

To help with the littering problem, a restroom facility will be installed in the area by spring of 2016, and officials plan to also put in a better road and designated parking spots, Larsen said. An iron ranger will be installed so the fees can be collected in a metal drop box, and Larsen said she believes the new fee will decrease the amount of littering and illegal activity.

"It will help curb some of that, I think, because when you charge a user fee it keeps more people honest," Larsen said. "We also have huge user conflicts there with the fly fishermen and the tubers, and I think that this may lessen the conflicts that we have down there."

The new fee is also the result of directives given by the Utah State Legislature, Larsen said.

"Years ago, Utah State Parks were asked by legislation to act more businesslike and collect enough revenue to cover the operating costs of our parks," she said. "This fee will be used to cover our costs to maintain the area and all monies collected go into restricted funds. … We spend about an hour down there a week picking up trash and we need to recoup those costs from our user fees instead of people's taxes."

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Faith Heaton Jolley

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