Assateague Island National Seashore to increase OSV permit fees
BERLIN, Md. – The National Park Service has announced a change to the current pricing and structure of the Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) permit at Assateague Island National Seashore.
During the summer season of 2020, the National Seashore reportedly saw an 81% increase to OSV Zone use from the average use of the last five years. With this increase of use, there was also an increase in cost, so the new cost recovery permit fee is intended to offset this cost to the park without creating a significant impact to the visitors of this area.
Currently, the following permits are offered:
- Vary – Call Refuge (VA side only): $70
- Day Use – 5 a.m. to midnight: $90
- Overnight – 24 hours, fishing midnight to 5 a.m.: $110
- Bullpen – 24 hours: $150
Effective January 1, 2021, the cost recovery permit fee will change as follows:
- OSV – 24 hours, fishing midnight to 5 a.m.: $110
- Bullpen – 24 hours: $200
100% of the revenue from OSV permit sales stay in the park and are cost recovery for the management of the OSV zone, used for maintenance, visitor and resource protection, and to enhance visitor safety specific to that area.
The total number of vehicles having access to the Maryland OSV zone will remain unchanged at 145. A beach driving permit is required, and once the 145 vehicle limit is reached, further access is limited to one vehicle on for each vehicle coming off the beach.
