A program charging all visitors for parking at Oregons state-managed wildlife areas has arrived in the Columbia Basin.

Parking permits are now required by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife at Power City Wildlife Area in Hermiston; Willow Creek and Coyote Springs near Boardman; and Irrigon Wildlife Area between Irrigon and Umatilla.

Those areas were phased in as of Jan. 1, along with Elkhorn Wildlife Area headquartered in North Powder and Jewell Meadows in Seaside. Another nine areas were already phased in through 2012 and 2013, for 15 total across the state.

Daily permits are $7, or $22 for an annual permit. A free permit is included with an annual Oregon hunting license, combination fishing and hunting license or Habitat Conservation Stamps.

The charges, initially approved by the ODFW?Commission in 2010, are meant to help distribute the cost of managing wildlife areas to all users not just hunters. In years past, wildlife areas were supported primarily by hunting license fees and a federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition, known as the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.

ODFW?spokeswoman Meg Kenagy said the money will go toward improving habitat and opportunities for viewing wildlife in the areas.

We have many more people out enjoying our wildlife areas,?Kenagy said. Its just put a strain on the resources there.

Permits are transferrable between vehicles, and good at all wildlife areas. Visitors must display them on their dashboard, or risk a $75 fine. Enforcement is done by state police or local authorities.

Upland bird hunting, wildlife viewing and hiking are popular attractions in the Columbia Basin wildlife areas. Keith Kohl, ODFW?wildlife area operations coordinator, said permanent signs will be posted reminding visitors to purchase their permits.

In the past, hunters have basically paid for our wildlife areas,?Kohl said. People are wanting use the areas for more things, so were asking they put in money for maintenance of what they want to do on them.

Permits are available online at www.dfw.state.or.us or anywhere ODFW?licenses are sold. They cannot be bought at the wildlife areas, except at Sauvie Island, Denman and Klamath during weekday office hours.

Contact George Plaven at gplaven@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4547.