ARC 9441C - Iowa Administrative Rules

Adopted and Filed

State park and recreation area fees, ch 16

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ARC 9441C

NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT[561]

Adopted and Filed

Rulemaking related to state park and recreation area fees

The Department of Natural Resources (Department) hereby rescinds Chapter 16, “State Park and Recreation Area Fees,” Iowa Administrative Code, and adopts a new chapter with the same title.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

This rulemaking is adopted under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 455A.14.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code section 455A.14.

Purpose and Summary

Chapter 16 provides the methodology for how fees for camping, the use of rental facilities, vessel storage, and other special privileges are determined in state park and recreation areas.The overall intent of the rulemaking is to increase revenue for the State’s conservation fund, which is required by law to support Iowa’s state parks system among other public lands and waters. The chapter also seeks to maximize occupancy and usage of the Iowa state parks and recreation areas.

The Department has statutory authority to set fees to be reasonably competitive with other parks and recreation areas in close proximity and to increase, reduce, or waive fees in response to promotional events or efforts. The chapter provides clarity to staff and customers on reservation changes, what fee is charged when there is a recent fee change, and the expectation of alternative fees when political subdivisions are managing the State-owned areas. This chapter has been reviewed and revised consistent with Executive Order 10.

Public Comment and Changes to Rulemaking

Notice of Intended Action for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on January 8, 2025, as ARC 8649C. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●January 29, 2025

●February 6, 2025

No one attended the public hearings. No public comments were received. No changes from the Notice have been made.

Adoption of Rulemaking

This rulemaking was adopted by the Department on June 30, 2025.

Fiscal Impact

This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 561—Chapter 10.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

Effective Date

This rulemaking will become effective on August 27, 2025.

The following rulemaking action is adopted:

ITEM 1.Rescind 561—Chapter 16 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 16

STATE PARK AND RECREATION AREA FEES

561—16.1(455A) Definitions.

“Commission” means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 461A.1(1).

“Department” means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 461A.1(2).

“Director” means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 461A.1(3).

561—16.2(455A) Camping, rental facilities, vessel storage, and other special privileges—fees.

16.2(1) Fee methodology. The director or the director’s designee shall fix and publish on the department’s website base fees for camping, the use of rental facilities, vessel storage and other special privileges at state parks and recreation areas under the jurisdiction of the department and the commission. The director or the director’s designee may consider the following factors when establishing and when adjusting base fees:

a.The specific park’s or recreation area’s amenities.

b.The size and features of a particular campsite or rental facility.

c.Use of campsites, rental facilities, or other special privileges.

d.Day of the week, season of the year, holidays, or other noteworthy occasions or special events.

e.Cost of operations.

f.Other considerations that the director or the director’s designee deems appropriate.

16.2(2) Fees honored. The fee to be charged shall be the fee currently in effect at the time the reservation is made and paid for. Any change to a reservation shall be subject to the fees applicable to the campsite or rental facility, along with any applicable reservation change fee, at the time the reservation is modified.

561—16.3(455A) Areas under management—varying fees. Fees charged for like services in state-owned areas under management by political subdivisions may vary from those established pursuant to this chapter.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 455A.14.

[Filed 7/1/25, effective 8/27/25]

[Published 7/23/25]

EDITOR’S NOTE: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 7/23/25.