MAKING AMERICA BEAUTIFUL AGAIN BY IMPROVING OUR NATIONAL PARKS

[Shawn]

What is everyone's thoughts on this bill?

Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Policy.

www.whitehouse.gov

From the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon to the tranquility of the Great Smoky Mountains, America’s national parks have provided generations of American families with unforgettable memories. It is the policy of my Administration to preserve these opportunities for American families in future generations by increasing entry fees for foreign tourists, improving affordability for United States residents, and expanding opportunities to enjoy America’s splendid national treasures.

and

Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks. (a) The Secretary of the Interior shall develop a strategy to increase revenue and improve the recreational experience at national parks by appropriately increasing entrance fees and recreation pass fees for nonresidents in areas of the National Park System that charge entrance fees or recreation pass fees as defined in 16 U.S.C. 6801. Additionally, to the extent consistent with applicable law, the Secretary of the Interior, working with the Secretary of Agriculture as appropriate, shall take steps to increase the prices at which the America the Beautiful Pass — the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass — and any site-specific agency or regional multi-entity passes are sold to nonresidents.

 

[Jeff Ulrich]

I'm usually not in favor of higher prices for nonresidents on anything. I realize some national parks are overcrowded to begin with and it would be a shame to turn away US residents because so many nonresidents are visiting. Still, nonresidents often are coming here on trips, at least in part, because they want to experience this nation's outdoor recreational opportunities. While they're here they are even more likely than residents to spend money on lodging, food, and transportation, helping our businesses. We have already seen a drop this year in tourism in general. It usually doesn't pay to be too greedy and risk driving tourists away.

 

[Shawn]

Personally, I don't support putting a price tag on recreational activities on public land. We pay taxes which already goes to that. I agree with campground fees, etc. because that takes money to operation and it's extra but to pay to hike a trail or park a car? I just can't really get behind that.