Overview
- The Federal Regional Court of the 5th Region rejected ICMBio's appeal, with two votes against and one in favor, upholding the bar on a gate fee to enter the village.
- The ruling preserves the court’s October stance that any charges may apply only to specific attractions, with earlier authorizations for concession works treated separately.
- Urbia Cataratas had sought to levy R$50 per person per day, rising annually to R$120 by year five, a charge distinct from the municipality’s Sustainable Tourism Tax of R$41.50 valid for ten days.
- Residents attended the hearing and protested, and local leaders said the community felt betrayed by ICMBio for pursuing the appeal after earlier assurances about free entry.
- Urbia’s counsel argued the fee would fund development, control environmental impacts, and improve access, while the case’s relator stressed the village is municipal property outside the concession area.