Iowa DNR drops plan to raise license fees

Des Moines, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources
has scrapped a plan to raise the price of hunting and fishing
licenses because of the recession.

The DNR suffered about $10 million in damage to its parks after
last summer’s tornadoes and floods. DNR director Richard Leopold
says the damage, combined with rising costs, led to the
increase.

Leopold says the DNR knew two years ago that it would have to
raise fees, but postponed the plan this year because of the
economy. The plan was to increase annual hunting and fishing
licenses from $17.50 to $23.50.

Leopold says the good news is Gov. Chet Culver has proposed $6
million in his budget to offset the DNR damage bill.

Leopold says a raise in license fees will get another look when
the economy improves.