Refuge fees raised

The entrance fee to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge south of Willows doubled on Sunday, but visitors say the splendor of the place is worth almost any price.

The cost for the 6-mile auto tour, walking paths and visitors center increased from $3 to $6 on New Year's Day.

Caryn Sprugeon and companion Jason Van Doran, of Sacramento, stopped at the refuge on Saturday on their way to Red Bluff.

It was the last day at the old price, but Spurgeon said she would have paid the new fee to visit the refuge.

"I don't think $6 is too much to ask," Spurgeon said. "If we don't support our refuges and parks, they will go away like anything else."

Slipping her ATM card into the self-serve kiosk at the front entrance, Spurgeon said she's traveled past the refuge many times, but Saturday was her first visit in more than a decade.

"The only sad part is that everything has gone up," she added, sighing in frustration.

Van Doran, a birdwatcher, has visited several refuges in the past few years, and said he pays more than $3 at most in California and elsewhere.

The doubling of the entrance fee is the first increase since the fee program was established at the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge in 1998, said Lora Haller, visitor services specialist for the wildlife refuge complex.

"It's now competitive with the other wildlife refuges and it will help us pay our bills," she said.

For regulars, the annual pass to visit the refuge will continue to be $12, and those who hold a Federal Duck Stamp or an America the Beautiful Interagency annual, senior, access, or volunteer pass can enter free.

The Colusa National Wildlife Refuge auto tour will remain free, Haller said.

The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of five national wildlife refuges and three wildlife management areas that comprise over 35,000 acres of wetlands and uplands.

In addition, there are over 30,000 acres of conservation easements in the complex.

The refuges and easements, part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, serve as resting and feeding areas for nearly half the migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway, Haller said.

This time of year, 40 percent of the Pacific Flyway's wintering waterfowl are calling the refuge home, including 3 million ducks and 1 million geese.

While the white snow geese are typically popular among birdwatchers this time of year, the past few weeks have been all about the ducks, mostly spoonies, mallards, gadwall, wigeon and pintail.

In Colusa, a rare duck is catching the nation's attention.

"We stopped today because it's sunny and warm," said Van Doran, whose birdwatching gear includes high-powered binoculars and a camera with a long-focus lens. "It's a good time to watch ducks swim around and feed on the water."

Visitors on Saturday said the refuges are splendid places to visit all year long, and numerous activities and special events, such as the owl prowl, nature photography and backyard bird count are informative and entertaining.

A naturalist will be on duty at the viewing platform at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in Willows from 1-2 p.m. on Jan. 15.

Visitors can learn about camouflaging animals in an interactive activity on Jan. 14 in Colusa and Jan. 22 at the Sacramento Refuge in Willows.

For more information, contact the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge at 934-2801 or visit www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/.

CONTACT Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.