The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is requesting public comments on a proposal to eliminate “free Wednesdays” at all state parks, including Pickett’s Mill.

Currently, park visitors are exempt from paying the $5 parking fee on Wednesdays at state parks and historic sites.

Spoken comments may be presented during a public meeting on Thursday, Sept. 2, in the DNR boardroom at Suite 1252 East, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta 30334.

Written comments will be accepted until Oct. 22, and the change could go into effect in February.

The proposal is in response to the Georgia General Assembly’s direction to make the state park system more self-sufficient and less reliant on state general funds.

Each year, parking fees generate $3.8 million for state park and historic site maintenance, such as campground renovations and trail construction. The DNR estimates that collecting parking fees on Wednesdays could bring in another $400,000. The daily parking fee is $5, and annual passes are available for $50.

Douglas residents still will have the opportunity to visit state parks and historic sites for free through the Library Loan Program, in which citizens check out a free Park Pass and Historic Site Pass from public libraries.

Written comments may be submitted by Oct. 22 online at www.gastateparks.org/parks (scroll down to “Contact Us,” then “Write Us Online,” or by mail to Sherry Crew-Jay, Confidential Secretary, Parks and Historic Sites Division, Suite 1352 East, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30334.

The proposed rule revision and public comments will be considered by the Board of Natural Resources at its meeting on Oct. 27 in Savannah.