COEUR d'ALENE - The Bureau of Land Management is raising fees at several of its recreation sites.

Last month the BLM's Coeur d'Alene District Recreation Resource Advisory Committee recommended the approval of several fee increases that will go into effect on May 16.

"These increases are necessary to continue to maintain the facilities for public use," according to a press release. "Nearly 80 percent of the fees collected at the site are returned back to the site for maintenance and upkeep of the facility."

Fees have not been raised in the Coeur d'Alene area since 2005, the release said.

The following increases will go into effect:

• Daily rates will increase at Blackwell Island Recreation Area and the Mineral Ridge Launch area to $6 from $4 per day.

• Tent camping at Mica Bay Boater Park, Killarney Lake Recreation Site, Huckleberry Campground and Windy Bay Boater Park will be $10 per night; a $2 increase.

• Trailer camping fees at the BLM's Huckleberry Campground along the St. Joe River will rise to $18 per night.

• Season passes for Blackwell Island and Mineral Ridge boat launches will now cost $40 per year, a $10 increase. Season passes may be used at either location. For a limited time, the BLM's Coeur d'Alene District will offer season passes for the Blackwell Island and Mineral Ridge launches at the 2011 price of $30. This discounted rate is available through May 15 and may be purchased at the BLM's Coeur d'Alene District Office, 3815 Schreiber Way.

Most recreation sites are now open with the exception of the Blackwell Island Recreation Site. Because opening the site depends on water levels, the tentative date is set for May 23.

Info: Kurt Pindel, Outdoor Recreation Planner at 769-5015 or Suzanne Endsley, 769-5004 and http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/coeur_d_alene/recreation_sites_.html