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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 24-271

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Revisions to Schedule of Prices for State Parks and State Forests

[54 Pa.B. 1070]
[Saturday, March 2, 2024]

A. Summary and Background

 Under section 314 of the Conservation and Natural Resources Act (71 P.S. § 1340.314), the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Department), Bureau of Forestry, will revise its price schedule for State Forest activities, uses and privileges effective upon publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Section D describes the Bureau of Forestry camping discounts that will be available in the State Park and State Forest Reservation and Revenue Management System (Reservation System).

 The Department also has updated its reservation cancellation/change policy for State parks and State forests. The updated policy, which is in Section E, correlates to the best management practices of other State park and private sector reservation web sites. It removes the unneeded whitewater cancellation policy as the Bureau of State Parks has moved away from whitewater reservations. It also allows for a more customer-friendly approach for transfers to different dates or site types at the State park or State forest where a customer has a reservation. The Department's current policy can be found at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/StateParkPrices/Pages/default.aspx.

B. Contact Persons

 Questions on the cancellation/change policy may be directed to Ryan Dysinger, Assistant Director, Bureau of State Parks, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 8551, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8551, (717) 787-6640, rydysinger@pa.gov. Persons with a disability may use the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service by calling (800) 654-5984 (TDD users).

 Questions on the discount may be directed to Matthew Crosbie, Non-Motorized Recreation Specialist, Bureau of Forestry, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 8551, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8551, mcrosbie@pa.gov. Persons with a disability may use the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service by calling (800) 654-5984 (TDD users).

C. Effective Date

 The effective date of these changes is immediately upon publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

D. Pricing Change for the Bureau of Forestry Campsites

 The Bureau of Forestry will permit the following discounts for both Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth residents and it will match the Bureau of State Parks' existing discounts:

 Americans with Disabilities Act Discount: $4.50 reduction per night.

 Senior Discount: $4.50 reduction per night.

 For purposes of this discount, a senior is defined as a person 62 years of age or older who is listed as the occupant and occupies the site.

 The existing pricing schedule published at 52 Pa.B. 6726 (October 29, 2022) remains in effect for use fees.

E. Reservation Cancellation/Change Policy

 This cancellation and change policy is applicable to all reservable and first-come, first-served facilities. This policy is applicable for all reservations created on and after the publication date of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This policy is included in the customer's confirmation letter or e-mail that is provided by the Department.

 Transaction fee: The Department charges a $6.50 nonrefundable transaction fee on all reservations and registrations. The Department will not refund this fee if the reservation is cancelled or transferred. The Department cannot grant any exceptions because this fee is a pass-through cost incurred by the Department for the Reservation System.

Changes to a reservation:

 The Department assesses a nonrefundable $10 fee per reservation for all changes made to a reservation, except for adding nights to the reservation. The Department will not refund this fee in the event of a change or cancellation in any situation. The Department cannot grant any exceptions because this fee is a pass-through cost incurred by the Department for the Reservation System.

 Customers with reservations made at the maximum window, 11 months to the day, or with a departure date after the maximum booking window, are not permitted to move or cancel their reservation for 22 days. After 22 days, customers can change or move their reservation for a $10 transfer fee.

 For customers with an online account, changes to a different site type or date at the State park or State forest where a customer has an existing reservation may be made by the reservation web site. Campsite reservations can be changed online up to 1 day prior. If individuals wish to switch to a cabin, cottage or yurt, this change cannot be made online less than 2 full days prior to arrival. If individuals wish to switch to another State park or State forest, or they do not have an online account, changes prior to the day of arrival must be made by calling the State Parks and Forests Reservation Center at (888) PA-PARKS ((888) 727-2757), Monday—Saturday, 7 a.m.—5 p.m. For river camping or backpack camping changes, individuals must contact the specific State park where they have a reservation.

 Changes on the day of arrival must go through the State park or State forest where individuals have a reservation. There are no refunds for early departure of any part of a holiday weekend reservation once the site has been occupied. The Department will not accept changes by means of social media.

 If a State park reservation receives the weekly discounted rate, any change that results in shortening the stay will cause the customer to lose the benefit of the weekly rate. A new daily rate will be calculated for the remaining dates, which will affect any amount refunded.

Cancellation of a reservation:

 Cancellations can be made by means of the call center or web site up to the day before arrival. Cancellation on the day of arrival must be made through the State park or State forest where there is a reservation. The State Parks Reservation Center's hours are Monday—Saturday, 7 a.m.—5 p.m. and can be reached at (888) PA-PARKS ((888) 727-2757). To cancel any backpacking reservations, individuals must contact the specific State park where they have a reservation.

 Cancellations made up to close of business 7 days prior to the scheduled arrival date will incur a $10 cancellation fee per reservation. If individuals cancel 6 days or less prior to the arrival date, they will forfeit the first night's fee. Reservations will be held for the entire reservation, including for no shows. Fees are retained and will not be refunded if individuals fail to arrive and do not inform the State park of a cancellation in advance or during their stay. Refunds will be calculated based on the date of notification using the previous process or by check out if notification occurs after the arrival date but before departure date.

 Cabin, lodge, yurt or deluxe cottage reservations in the summer peak season will forfeit their entire fee if cancelled.

 The Department will not accept changes by means of social media.

Refunds:

 Refunds in excess of the previously listed policy will not be given for reasons including, but not limited to, natural disasters, drought, bugs, weather, campfire bans, air quality, death, pandemics (for example, COVID-19), water conditions, pool closures due to staffing, violations of the terms and conditions of the permit or the Department's rules and regulations, which were agreed to when the reservation was made.

 If paid by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express, the card will be credited. If paid by check or money order, a check from the Commonwealth will be issued. If paid by gift card, the Bureau of State Parks will send a new gift card for the refund amount. Only the person whose name is on the reservation may change or cancel. Refunds by check require a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for delivery.

 The Department will not consider requests for refunds outside of this policy if submitted 8 days or more after the departure date. For example, if an individual were to depart on January 7 and submitted a refund request on January 15, it is ineligible for consideration.

CINDY ADAMS DUNN, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-271. Filed for public inspection March 1, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]


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