Tell Interior Secretary Zinke you don't want surge pricing in the National Park System.
On Thanksgiving Day the window to comment on Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's proposal to institute surge pricing at 17 national parks across the country will close. Be sure to get your comments in before it does.
Traveler believes this is a poorly thought out proposal that needs to be scrapped, not implemented. As we noted in an editorial:
* It will hit families whose summer vacation schedules are dictated by school calendars harder than those who can travel to the parks any time of year.
* The contention that this fee structure will help address the $11 billion-$12 billion maintenance backlog in the park system is weak at best, and probably laughable. Even if the new structure, if approved, generates $70 million a year, President Trump wants to cut nearly $400 million a year from the National Park Service's budget. And even if Congress rejects the president's budget, which it likely will, this bump in fees will never make a significant impact on the backlog when you take into consideration inflation and ongoing, and unexpected, needs across the 417 units of the park system. (See: Scotty's Castle, Hurricane Irma and Maria)
* It's inequitable when you look at other fees assessed across the federal landscape.
* The biggest parks will benefit, while smaller ones continue to struggle.
* It gives Congress more reason not to take better care of the National Park System.
Something else to consider: Why, when the Park Service announced this proposal, did they calculate the pricing in part on "family attractions," which we can only assume means commercial theme parks? Whether it's Disneyland or Disney World, Six Flags or Universal Orlando, don't confuse Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Everglades or any other national park unit as a commercial theme park, one that needs to earn profits for its operator. The National Park System is owned by the American public and Congress is supposed to hold it in trust for all Americans. And part of Congress's role is to see that the park system is adequately and properly funded via our tax dollars.
So comment today, at this site, and let Secretary Zinke know you want these special places well-cared for, not compared to commercial theme parks or opened to more commercialization in the bluff that that needs to happen to better fund the National Park Service.
Comments
Our comments will have ZERO bearing on these fees. Public comments have never mattered to the NPS. But I expressed mine nonetheless. When asked about public comments over the Smokies backcountry fee which were 85% in opposition, the NPS said, "Public comments do not constitute a vote". And they are right. They are merely checking a box for the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which is the genesis of this fee raping in the first place. The problem is that no one ever holds the NPS accountable. Now in the days of Trump, they are even less accountable. But Zinke gets to cruise around on charter jets.
i live the National Parks. I visited four this summer and bought an annual pass. Worth every penny. Now the pass will increase by 30%. This cost will be prohibitive for many people, especially families with children and retirees. The park belong to all of us and should be priced so average Americans can afford the price of admission. I am sure there are other ways to raise revenue. Maybe it should be adequately funded by the federal government. Also, no drilling in the National Parks. That is too disgusting for words. And bring back the plastic bottle ban.
sad...our Parks, a true American treasure that needs to be accessible to all income levels..
I just left a comment but it looks like the comment period has been extended to 12/22.
Me too
I totally understand raising the park fees, for particular parks. The ones most heavily visited and being worn down. I believe the entrance fee is for the car load, and actually good for a week, so those camping for a while still get an amazing deal. It would encourage annual passes and I'd be fine if I have my annual pass and the select parks put a premium on the visit, but less than the basic entrance fee. I think the biggest place to raise the cost though, is for seniors who can get life time passes for virtually nothing. If they can afford huge driving campers, bikes, tow a car, they can afford to pair their fair share. And, yes, at some point in my life I will be a senior myself. I"m not sure of the entrance fees of all National Parks, but the National Mall, for example, is and always should be free. Do other countries charge foreigners more for their parks? If so, we should consider that as well. Of course, I think the US government should do a better job of wisely using our tax dollars, so please don't think the feds are off the hook, here.
Tam, the lifetime Senior Pass was increased from $10 to $80 this year. Do you want to raise it again?
Stop LYING and stealing from AMERICA and Americans to push your RACIST NAZI AGENDA AND TO DESTROY our national parks to make your orange demigoug happy.