New regulations for vehicle and boating access to Lake Drummond in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge will begin April 1, the refuge announced recently.

Extended days and hours for vehicle access will begin on that date, and a special boating permit will no longer be needed. Boaters will simply use the vehicle access permit.

Later this year, a new $5 fee for vehicle access — both for boaters and those using personal vehicles — will begin to be assessed to help manage the expected increase in usage, according to a press release from the refuge. An annual pass will be offered for $25 per year, but the cost will be waived for some users.

“It’s really great,” said Deloras Freeman, visitor services manager at the refuge.

She said people have been excited about the changes, particularly boaters. Boaters will now be able to put into Lake Drummond from the Interior Ditch launch all year long. Currently, access from there is allowed only April 1 through June 15.

“Without fail, every single one of them have been excited,” Freeman said of the boaters she has heard from.

Previously, boaters were able to obtain a free permit, but getting one required them to call the day before their visit and put their name on a list.

“Now, none of that will apply, and they’ll have access year-round,” Freeman said.

The newly named “Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive” also will be accessible for extended hours. The hours will run seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 1 to Sept. 30 and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 to March 31. The entry gate will continue to close one hour before the closing time.

The hours previously were shorter, and the drive was closed on Sundays.

“We are looking forward to spring as it brings these changes in visitor use policies,” Chris Lowie, refuge manager, said in a press release. “We expect to see an increase in visitation simply because travelers stopping by the refuge will no longer find a closed gate on Sunday afternoons.”

The $5 fee is expected to begin no earlier than this fall, Freeman said. The refuge still is working out the details of how to collect the fee. She anticipates it will involve some type of honor system for those who go through the kiosk at the entrance to Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive.

The annual pass fee will be waived for owners of a Federal Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp or an America the Beautiful Annual, Senior or Access pass.

The refuge held a public comment period on the changes last year before it was decided to put them into effect.

More information is available online at www.fws.gov/refuge/Great_Dismal_Swamp. The refuge headquarters is located at 3100 Desert Road, Suffolk.