Pass now needed for 32 Ga. Wildlife sites

ATLANTA — A new state regulation requires visitors to any of the 32 sites managed by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division to hold a Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass (GORP).

The new rule, which took effect Jan. 1, applies to visitors between 16 and 64 years old; visitors 15 years old and younger or 65 years and older are exempt. State officials say the pass will provide funding for maintenance at the sites.

“As budgets have become tighter over the last few years, maintenance funds have been stretched thin,” Dan Forster, director of the Wildlife Resources Division, said in a news release. “Hunters and anglers have been paying the bill through state license fees and federal excise taxes to maintain these properties. However, other users contribute to the general wear and tear of the sites too. The GORP revenue will be directed to long overdue maintenance projects such as roadways, trails, parking lots and other facilities.”

A GORP costs $3.50 for three days or $19 for a year. For groups of eight or fewer people, the pass is $10 three days and $35 for the year. There is also a transaction fee of $2.50 for online purchases, $3 for purchases from retail license agents and $5 for phone orders.

For more information, please visit www.georgiawildlife.com/Georgia-Outdoor-Recreational-Pass.