Seems as though the National Park Foundation has recently become quite
interested in studying (and now implementing) National Park fees of all
kinds (see below).

Scott

(please see additional comments after quoted material)

--- begin quoted---

NPS Morning Report (6/12/01):

Fee Study - On May 31st, the joint NPS - McKinsey and Company fee study team completed a summary report with recommendations for fee program direction. The team has asked the NLC to provide guidance in making key decisions and to provide direction for implementation of those recommendations. The purpose of the study, funded jointly by the National Park Foundation and McKinsey and Company, was to attain the following goals:

o       Review all fee revenue programs to date, with emphasis on recreation fees and fee demo but also including 1a-2(g), cost recovery, special park uses, concessions, and other non-appropriated revenue.

o       Develop options to enhance revenue programs within existing legislation.

o       Prepare NPS leadership for upcoming legislative hearings on fee programs.

The team offered fee program options after an intensive three-month -long analysis of superintendent surveys from all parks, interviews with regional, park, and Washington staff, site visits to over 30 parks, and analysis of fee revenue, budget, visitation and other data. The team provided a fresh perspective on NPS fee revenue programs, and many of the McKinsey findings build upon prior recommendations, such as those of the 21st Century task group on fees and the white paper on the program's vision, goals and directions. The director and regional directors will review details of the study and a proposal for implementation of the recommendations.

The NPS - McKinsey and Company fee study included the following:

o       Seven measures of fee program success were identified - that fee programs should 1) not pose barriers to access, 2) be rational and understandable, 3) be fair and equitable, 4) promote stewardship, 5) optimize (not maximize) revenues, 6) be managed effectively, and 7) provide customer service.

o       Numerous fee program successes were identified. Recommendations address a number of challenges: Inconsistent fee levels, activities covered, and duration of stay; commercial bus entry rates; uncertainty about National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle economics; the limited number of parks collecting fees; lack of technology and appropriate statistics; and gray areas regarding misuse of passes and entry fees.

McKinsey estimated that - if implemented - recommendations could increase revenue Servicewide while supporting the NPS mission. Implementation of the recommendations is under discussion. Over the next two months, the team will conduct numerous briefings for park and regional staffs.

Highlights of team recommendations include:

o       Revise the fee program structure to provide greater consistency, less complexity , and revenue optimization.

o       Move toward greater consistency and equity in allocation procedures.

o       Conduct more open communications between WASO, regions, and parks.

The team expresses its gratitude to all of the regional, WASO, and park staff who generously supported its research with their ideas, data, and limited time. F or more information on the NPS-McKinsey fee study, contact Jolene Johnson via cc:Mail or at 520-723-3172. [Jolene Johnson, CAGR)

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AND.... here's a little quote from the web site of the consulting firm who did the NPS study

    "If you are not working on an issue of concern for top management, it's probably not worth Mckinsey's fees"

Hmmm.... I wonder how much this survey cost to perform?

But the "good news" is, the public didn't pay for it. The "official partners of the National Park Service", the "National Park Foundation" (bless their hearts) paid for it. (see NPF corporate sponsor list below)

And when you visit the NPF web site, here is what you discover....

"For a limited time, buy a Pass here and get 10% off at Discovery's online store, Discoverystore.com."

Is there any hope for the National Parks....??? or will they simply become monuments to Industrial Tourism and Outdoor Disneylands.

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