I recently made public a National Park Service schedule of fee increases.
Examination of that
document reveals that at 60% of all NPS fee-sites, in 2008 either the cost
per vehicle, and/or the cost per person, and/or the cost of an annual pass, is
staled to increase. I noted that virtually all of the NPS fee-sites that do not
raise fees in 2008, are scheduled to do so in 2009.
What Kurt and the media may not have known is that the basic information,
without the details contained in the document I obtained, was hiding in plain
view. It could be found within the President's budget request to Congress.
Here is the relevant quote:
[ In FY 2006, 23 units increased entrance fee rates to align with
the new fee structure. In FY 2007, 11-13 units are scheduled to implement the
new structure pricing, and in FY 2008 the bulk of the parks (approximately 85)
will align with the fee structure model. In FY 2009, the remainder of parks that
charge entrance fees will implement the new rates.]
Another blogger, Bill Schneider of NewWest, commenting
upon these fee increases wrote — "In the end, many parks will
double or even triple fees. And who says inflation is only 2.5 percent?"
 Bill has raised excellent points — what
about inflation, will the price hikes end, or will entrance fees
just keep on rising?
If folks had been hoping that this round of National Park fee increases
would be a one-shot deal, I've got disappointing news. After fees are raised they will be indexed to inflation and adjusted upwards at regular
intervals.
Pasted below is a News Release from the National Park Service explaining
how inflation-adjusted pricing will be calculated.
Scott
--- begin quoted ---
Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks Superintendent Dan Kimball
announced today that the National Park Service is requesting comments on
proposed entrance fee increases for both Parks. The comment period runs through
April 23, 2007.
The National Park Service has analyzed entrance fees across all units of
the National Park System in an attempt to simplify and standardize entrance
fees. The analysis resulted in a pricing structure that used a tier grouping
system for parks based on their enabling legislation, comparability of size and
services available, visitation statistics, current revenues, and benchmark
comparisons with state and local park facilities. The proposed fees for
Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks align with fees charged at other
similar national park areas.
The proposed entrance fee increases at Everglades National Park for both
the Main Entrance Station and Shark Valley are:
from $5.00 per person to $10.00 per person;
from $10.00 per vehicle to
$20.00 per vehicle, and
an increase in the annual pass from $25.00 per year
to $40.00 per year.
The proposed entrance fee increases at Dry Tortugas National Park
are:
from $5.00 per person to $10.00 per person; and
an increase in the
annual park pass from $25.00 per year to $40.00 per year.
In order to keep entrance fees aligned with cost increases,
beginning in 2011, entrance fees will be adjusted based on changes to the
cumulative Consumer Price Index (CPI) calculated from 2007 to 2011. This same
analysis will be conducted every three years thereafter and fees adjusted
accordingly. This will help to keep entrance rates in alignment with changes in
the value of the dollar, cost increases, and other financial considerations over
time. The entrance fee at the Main Entrance Station at Everglades National Park
has not increased in 10 years. The entrance fees will continue to be valid for
seven days and accepted at all Park entrance fee areas.
A large portion (80 percent) of national park entrance and other user fees
are returned directly to the parks where they are collected. The fees provide
direct benefits to park visitors such as improving the condition of facilities,
natural and cultural resource preservation, and interpretation of the park’s
resources.
“We invite everyone to comment on these proposed entrance fee increases”
stated Kimball. “Public participation is vital to the NPS planning and decision
making processes”.
Following the comment period, a recommendation on fee increases will be
developed and submitted to the National Park Service Washington D.C. office for
final review and action.
Written comments may be mailed to: Proposed Fee Increase, Superintendent,
Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL
33034-6733. Comments may also be emailed to: EVER_Ranger
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Comments must be
received by close of business April 23, 2007. Further information or questions
can be directed to 305-242-7730
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