The National Park Service (NPS) has proposed a significant fee increase for the upcoming 2018 peak season at more than a dozen popular parks across the country, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Shenandoah.
The agency states that the increased park fees would "generate badly needed revenue for improvements to aging infrastructure," increasing annual revenue by as much as $70 million.
The proposal targets 17 national parks in all and would raise entrance fees to $70 per vehicle, $50 per motorcycle and $30 per person during each park's busiest contiguous five-month period, according to the NPS.
The suggested prices would more than double the cost of entry during peak season. Currently, the rate for a private vehicle is between $25 and $30 while a person on foot or bike can gain access for as little as $10-15.
If ultimately approved, the aforementioned prices would be effective May 1 through September 30 at Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Denali National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Olympic National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and Zion National Park.
Visitors to Acadia National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and Shenandoah National Park would be affected June 1 through October 31. Finally, Joshua Tree National Park's new peak season pricing would be in effect January 1 through May 31.
However, the proposal would not affect the cost of the $80 annual pass permitting entry into all parks.
The NPS states every additional penny would be put toward improving facilities, infrastructure, and visitor services. The funds would focus primarily on tackling deferred maintenance projects.
"The infrastructure of our national parks is aging and in need of renovation and restoration," said U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke in a statement. "Targeted fee increases at some of our most-visited parks will help ensure that they are protected and preserved in perpetuity and that visitors enjoy a world-class experience that mirrors the amazing destinations they are visiting."
Despite the potential benefits of a fee increase, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is in complete opposition and believes the onus is on the government to take action.
"We should not increase fees to such a degree as to make these places unaffordable for some families to visit. The solution to our parks' repair needs cannot and should not be largely shouldered by its visitors," NPCA President and CEO, Theresa Pierno said in a statement responding to the NPS proposal.
"If the administration wants to support national parks, it needs to walk the walk and work with Congress to address the maintenance backlog," added Pierno. "A proposal before Congress now, the National Park Service Legacy Act, would establish a more substantial and sustainable investment in our parks. The administration should urge Congress to put this bill on the president's desk and pass a budget that puts more money, not less, into our national parks."
The NPS is encouraging the public to chime into the debate during a 30-day comment period that opened Tuesday and will close November 23.
According to CNN, entry fees at several popular parks were increased as recently as 2015. Nonetheless, the NPS reported a record 331 million visits last year, a 7.7 percent increase over 2015.
Only 118 of the 417 national park sites charge an entrance fee.
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