News

Use of North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission lands and infrastructure may come at a greater cost in the near future.

NC Wildlife is weighing whether to require residents without a hunting and fishing license to purchase an annual Conservation Access Pass to use NC Wildlife-owned game lands and facilities, most notably boat ramps. The agency is currently looking for public input on the plan.

According to NC Wildlife, the idea stems from increased recreational use of game lands by hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, birders, campers, as well as use of NC Wildlife-owned boating access areas (boat ramps) by non-motorized vessels such as kayaks, canoes and paddleboards — the increased use has led to greater impact on infrastructure and the need for additional funding to maintain that infrastructure.

“While we support efforts by the state to fund the conservation of public lands, this proposal would significantly deter public engagement in activities like hiking, birding, backpacking and foraging, that are cornerstones of recreation in North Carolina’s public game lands,” said Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop. “A flat fee for use of these public lands is a hurdle that will result in less utilization, less access and less understanding of the importance of these community-owned resources.”

NC Wildlife owns/maintains more than 25 boat ramps on the Neuse River and more than 15 along the Tar-Pamlico River.

According to the plan, residents who do not already have a state-issued hunting and fishing license would be required to purchase an annual access pass to launch non-motorized vessels at any NC Wildlife boat ramp, including those ramps with non-NC Wildlife-owned kayak launches.

Sound Rivers, in partnership with NC Wildlife, the City of Greenville and the City of Washington, has installed three such kayak launches in recent years: at Port Terminal in Greenville, Mason’s Landing on Tranters Creek and Havens Gardens on Runyon Creek in Washington.

In addition to owning a fishing and hunting license, another exception for the use of WRC boat ramps to launch kayaks, canoes or paddleboards is if the user already pays registration fees for a vessel, such as a powerboat or sailboat. However, registration fees paid for a boat would only cover boat-ramp use; it would not cover hiking, biking, birding, etc. on game lands. For those activities, an access pass would still be required.

According to NC Wildlife, the earliest an Access Pass fee could be implemented is 2026. Comments are being accepted until Friday, March 28. Another comment period and at least one public hearing will be held when the Access Pass proposal is officially released. More information about the Conservation Access Pass can be found on the NC Wildlife website here.

Comments, questions and concerns about the Conservation Access Pass can be shared on the NC Wildlife website here.