Local Rep. 'Outraged' With Proposed Beach, Campsite Fee Hikes

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A local representative is criticizing proposed increases to Rhode Island's beach and campsite fees, calling them "devastating to low-income families and tourism."

Rep. Dennis Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) believes the proposed rate hikes would affect low-income families the most, who often rely on campsites as an affordable alternative to expensive out-of-state vacations.

Read More: Proposed Rate Hikes Would Affect Beach Parking, Campsites

"The camping fee increases are particularly egregious because the rate of increase is far more than the beach fee proposal," Canario wrote in a statement. "In some cases, camp site costs will increase 100%, for customers, which is not right and unreasonable. This will hurt our residents, tourists looking to enjoy our beautiful parks, and the small businesses that surround and rely upon tourists and residents using the camp grounds."

For Rhode Island residents, Tier One campsites would double to $30, Tier Two sites would increase to $25, and Tier Three sites would increase to $18.

"This is simply bad policy and these proposals will not have the effect that is hoped for and the fee increases will restrict access to some of our state’s most valuable and accessible resources," Rep. Canario added. "All of these different fee increases add up for the normal hard-working Rhode Island families and I will fight against these fee increases during the legislative session just as I did in the past when the General Assembly lowered these fees during the 2016 session."

Beach parking fees would increase by $2 for daily passes for Rhode Island residents, and $4 for non-residents. Meanwhile, season passes would increase by $10 for residents and $20 for non-residents.