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Proposal to raise entry fees in popular national parks
NorthCascades
Posts: 10,968 Member
in Debate Club
I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
1
Replies
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Open for comments at parkplanning.nps.gov
Comment period closes Nov 23, 2017 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time0 -
I think it's fine. I assume they put some thought/research into the dollar amounts, but if it means their revenue goes up, and thus the money they can put back into the park, I'm good with it. If it means a little less traffic, all the better.
If it's an arbitrary increase, or the added revenue isn't going back into the park (or related programs), then I'm not so sure...0 -
worth noting. the trump administration just CUT a massive amount of funding for these parks, hence the need for increased admission fees. This entire scheme is a bid to reduce the number of people going to the parks, let them turn to crap, and then be able to sell off the land to private companies for mining, logging, drilling, and development.
My opinion? National parks should be 110% funded by the federal government, and shouldn't have any admission fees at all. I can think of a hell of a lot of worse ways the government can spend my tax dollars than supporting national parks.
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NorthCascades wrote: »I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
I'd be good with this if there was a way to get some sort of subsidy for it to those who are very low income. I'd hate to shut out an entire income bracket from being able to see our national treasures. That said there is a balance between being free and running out of money to sustain the parks and charging so much that large swaths of the population can no longer see them. Just not sure where that balance is but some sort of graded pay system seems like a good idea.6 -
Aaron_K123 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
I'd be good with this if there was a way to get some sort of subsidy for it to those who are very low income. I'd hate to shut out an entire income bracket from being able to see our national treasures. That said there is a balance between being free and running out of money to sustain the parks and charging so much that large swaths of the population can no longer see them. Just not sure where that balance is but some sort of graded pay system seems like a good idea.
the balance is fund them fully from the top down and don't charge people a nickle to enjoy them. That's the balance.10 -
wow, that's quite steep. I live near shenandoah, and I would refuse to go hiking there if it cost me $70/trip.
I wonder if the annual passes would rise proportionately as well?
I'm not sure about the trump conspiracy theory, but nothing really surprises me anymore (I've lived in DC for too long I guess). I do agree that national parks should be accessible for all, though.1 -
I'm against the idea of charging people a fee to visit land they own. All of us own the national parks; if you're a citizen this land is your birthright.
I think a $30 charge to walk or ride a bike into a public park is exorbitant.12 -
I think it's fine. I assume they put some thought/research into the dollar amounts, but if it means their revenue goes up, and thus the money they can put back into the park, I'm good with it. If it means a little less traffic, all the better.
If it's an arbitrary increase, or the added revenue isn't going back into the park (or related programs), then I'm not so sure...
Currently the estimated maintenance backlog for the National Park Service is $11.9 Billion dollars.
Craig Sailor, reporting for The News Tribune wrote: “The nearly $200 million collected in entrance fees could climb to $268 million, the government estimated.” (This assumes a reduction in visits.)
$68 million dollars doesn't even begin to put a dent in the $11.9 Billion dollar maintenance backlog.
But it triples the entry fees at America’s most popular national parks and prices many people and families out.2 -
worth noting. the trump administration just CUT a massive amount of funding for these parks, hence the need for increased admission fees. This entire scheme is a bid to reduce the number of people going to the parks, let them turn to crap, and then be able to sell off the land to private companies for mining, logging, drilling, and development.
My opinion? National parks should be 110% funded by the federal government, and shouldn't have any admission fees at all. I can think of a hell of a lot of worse ways the government can spend my tax dollars than supporting national parks.
I agree.0 -
It costs $90 to go to Disney World, per person! So $70 per vehicle is not exorbitant. It costs a lot to maintain the parks and I would rather pay at the door than run my money through a bunch of bureaucrats.4
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worth noting. the trump administration just CUT a massive amount of funding for these parks, hence the need for increased admission fees. This entire scheme is a bid to reduce the number of people going to the parks, let them turn to crap, and then be able to sell off the land to private companies for mining, logging, drilling, and development.
My opinion? National parks should be 110% funded by the federal government, and shouldn't have any admission fees at all. I can think of a hell of a lot of worse ways the government can spend my tax dollars than supporting national parks.
Agree...on all fronts.2 -
worth noting. the trump administration just CUT a massive amount of funding for these parks, hence the need for increased admission fees. This entire scheme is a bid to reduce the number of people going to the parks, let them turn to crap, and then be able to sell off the land to private companies for mining, logging, drilling, and development.
My opinion? National parks should be 110% funded by the federal government, and shouldn't have any admission fees at all. I can think of a hell of a lot of worse ways the government can spend my tax dollars than supporting national parks.
Totally agree.2 -
Terrible. Guess I will stay away.0
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worth noting. the trump administration just CUT a massive amount of funding for these parks, hence the need for increased admission fees. This entire scheme is a bid to reduce the number of people going to the parks, let them turn to crap, and then be able to sell off the land to private companies for mining, logging, drilling, and development.
My opinion? National parks should be 110% funded by the federal government, and shouldn't have any admission fees at all. I can think of a hell of a lot of worse ways the government can spend my tax dollars than supporting national parks.
Yup. I'd certainly be willing to contribute my share in taxes to support the no entrance fee, if I thought for a New York minute the money was actually going to be used for that purpose. It's a real shame the people who most need relief from overcrowded housing and lack of open space are the people who seem to be the most disposable in these situations.4 -
mltrainer1 wrote: »It costs $90 to go to Disney World, per person! So $70 per vehicle is not exorbitant. It costs a lot to maintain the parks and I would rather pay at the door than run my money through a bunch of bureaucrats.
Disney world is a privately owned business. Not land owned by the people paying for the privilege of walking on it.
I think the increase seems a bit steep for a one-shot increase. But the price also seems a bit disproportionate at the current rate given that I pay almost 1/2 that to visit my local state parks (and they are nice but nothing compared the parks mentioned).
It seems more prudent to just get an annual pass (it looked like that wasn’t increasing?) and then all the parks lose revenue.
All in all, I’m in agreement with full government funding of government owned land. But that’s not really an option here. It’s a little sad since it does seem like it may price people out of being able to visit.3 -
Aaron_K123 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
I'd be good with this if there was a way to get some sort of subsidy for it to those who are very low income. I'd hate to shut out an entire income bracket from being able to see our national treasures. That said there is a balance between being free and running out of money to sustain the parks and charging so much that large swaths of the population can no longer see them. Just not sure where that balance is but some sort of graded pay system seems like a good idea.
the balance is fund them fully from the top down and don't charge people a nickle to enjoy them. That's the balance.
Ideally yes. Pragmatically what do we do to ensure there are still parks 3 years from now when we might have a chance pushing for such legislation?1 -
From what I saw the annual cost would remain the same -- I believe it is around $75-$85. I also think with the cuts they got from this administration I am not sure what people thought would happen.
I do hope they keep the program that gives all 4th graders a free pass for a year to the National Parks.0 -
mltrainer1 wrote: »It costs $90 to go to Disney World, per person! So $70 per vehicle is not exorbitant. It costs a lot to maintain the parks and I would rather pay at the door than run my money through a bunch of bureaucrats.
I don't own Disneyland.1 -
mltrainer1 wrote: »It costs $90 to go to Disney World, per person!
Disney World is private property, owned by someone else. National Parks belong to everybody. That's not flowery pose.1 -
I get an annual park pass, so it wouldn't change for me. Having said that, I agree that more money should be allocated from the general fund so that poor people are not prevented from visiting.3
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blondie_mfp wrote: »wow, that's quite steep. I live near shenandoah, and I would refuse to go hiking there if it cost me $70/trip.
I wonder if the annual passes would rise proportionately as well?
I'm not sure about the trump conspiracy theory, but nothing really surprises me anymore (I've lived in DC for too long I guess). I do agree that national parks should be accessible for all, though.
it's not really a conspiracy. Republican politicians have spoken repeatedly about wanted to turn over public land to private companies. They don't even try to hide it, for them it's a core belief, and one that their constituency seems to agree with. They're completely open about their belief that the government shouldn't own national parks, and that that land should be mined, drilled, and developed.
Cutting funding will hurt the upkeep and improvement of the parks, and increased entrance fees will drive down attendance. It's simple economics.
The worse the state of the parks gets, and the fewer people go to them, the stronger the Republican's pitch that the land would be better used by industry becomes.10 -
Aaron_K123 wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
I'd be good with this if there was a way to get some sort of subsidy for it to those who are very low income. I'd hate to shut out an entire income bracket from being able to see our national treasures. That said there is a balance between being free and running out of money to sustain the parks and charging so much that large swaths of the population can no longer see them. Just not sure where that balance is but some sort of graded pay system seems like a good idea.
the balance is fund them fully from the top down and don't charge people a nickle to enjoy them. That's the balance.
Ideally yes. Pragmatically what do we do to ensure there are still parks 3 years from now when we might have a chance pushing for such legislation?
Vote against anyone who supported cutting the funding.9 -
clicketykeys wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
I'd be good with this if there was a way to get some sort of subsidy for it to those who are very low income. I'd hate to shut out an entire income bracket from being able to see our national treasures. That said there is a balance between being free and running out of money to sustain the parks and charging so much that large swaths of the population can no longer see them. Just not sure where that balance is but some sort of graded pay system seems like a good idea.
the balance is fund them fully from the top down and don't charge people a nickle to enjoy them. That's the balance.
Ideally yes. Pragmatically what do we do to ensure there are still parks 3 years from now when we might have a chance pushing for such legislation?
Vote against anyone who supported cutting the funding.
this. There's literally an election next year where the entire House of Representatives and 1/3 of the Senate are up for reelection.7 -
clicketykeys wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
I'd be good with this if there was a way to get some sort of subsidy for it to those who are very low income. I'd hate to shut out an entire income bracket from being able to see our national treasures. That said there is a balance between being free and running out of money to sustain the parks and charging so much that large swaths of the population can no longer see them. Just not sure where that balance is but some sort of graded pay system seems like a good idea.
the balance is fund them fully from the top down and don't charge people a nickle to enjoy them. That's the balance.
Ideally yes. Pragmatically what do we do to ensure there are still parks 3 years from now when we might have a chance pushing for such legislation?
Vote against anyone who supported cutting the funding.
I concur.clicketykeys wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
I'd be good with this if there was a way to get some sort of subsidy for it to those who are very low income. I'd hate to shut out an entire income bracket from being able to see our national treasures. That said there is a balance between being free and running out of money to sustain the parks and charging so much that large swaths of the population can no longer see them. Just not sure where that balance is but some sort of graded pay system seems like a good idea.
the balance is fund them fully from the top down and don't charge people a nickle to enjoy them. That's the balance.
Ideally yes. Pragmatically what do we do to ensure there are still parks 3 years from now when we might have a chance pushing for such legislation?
Vote against anyone who supported cutting the funding.
this. There's literally an election next year where the entire House of Representatives and 1/3 of the Senate are up for reelection.
Hopefully those parks are not destroyed already from drilling and mining by next year.2 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »clicketykeys wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
I'd be good with this if there was a way to get some sort of subsidy for it to those who are very low income. I'd hate to shut out an entire income bracket from being able to see our national treasures. That said there is a balance between being free and running out of money to sustain the parks and charging so much that large swaths of the population can no longer see them. Just not sure where that balance is but some sort of graded pay system seems like a good idea.
the balance is fund them fully from the top down and don't charge people a nickle to enjoy them. That's the balance.
Ideally yes. Pragmatically what do we do to ensure there are still parks 3 years from now when we might have a chance pushing for such legislation?
Vote against anyone who supported cutting the funding.
I concur.clicketykeys wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I'd love to hear what people think of this. So would the park service; if you have strong feelings, the comment period is still open.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article180651396.html
During that time period i]peak summer visitation season[/i, the entry fee would increase from the current $25 to $70 per vehicle. Motorcycles would be charged $50 instead of the current $20, and a walk-in or bicycle fee would jump from $10 to $30.
These are the 17 national parks being considered for entrance-fee increases during peak visitor months in 2018.
▪ Acadia National Park, Maine
▪ Arches National Park, Utah
▪ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
▪ Canyonlands National Park, Utah
▪ Denali National Park, Alaska
▪ Glacier National Park, Montana
▪ Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
▪ Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
▪ Joshua Tree National Park, California
▪ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
▪ Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
▪ Olympic National Park, Washington
▪ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
▪ Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
▪ Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
▪ Yosemite National Park, California
▪ Zion National Park, Utah
I'd be good with this if there was a way to get some sort of subsidy for it to those who are very low income. I'd hate to shut out an entire income bracket from being able to see our national treasures. That said there is a balance between being free and running out of money to sustain the parks and charging so much that large swaths of the population can no longer see them. Just not sure where that balance is but some sort of graded pay system seems like a good idea.
the balance is fund them fully from the top down and don't charge people a nickle to enjoy them. That's the balance.
Ideally yes. Pragmatically what do we do to ensure there are still parks 3 years from now when we might have a chance pushing for such legislation?
Vote against anyone who supported cutting the funding.
this. There's literally an election next year where the entire House of Representatives and 1/3 of the Senate are up for reelection.
Hopefully those parks are not destroyed already from drilling and mining by next year.
fortunately, there's a lot of parks, but there will be loses.0 -
Govt does not fund anything. It simply steals money from people (taxes) and then spends it however they feel. So lots of you feel the "govt" should maintain parks. Well what do you say to people who are not able to go to those parks??? Should they be paying for your hikes??? I for one don't care about your hikes. But I will play along. I will pay taxes to pay for your hikes if you pay for my food bill each week. How would you feel about that trade?? Also as for you anti Trump people - I went to Acadia in 2014 under Obama. Guess what - they charged money for things. So please don't bring your personal politics into this as though one side is saintly and the other side evil.15
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I am in Canada and would be outraged if those were the proposed prices for entry in our parks! Our governments waste so much money and give so much away that the costs should stay low. I fear if they are raised to that then the fears of a previous poster would be true, and the land would be sold and razed.1
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BruinsGal_91 wrote: »worth noting. the trump administration just CUT a massive amount of funding for these parks, hence the need for increased admission fees. This entire scheme is a bid to reduce the number of people going to the parks, let them turn to crap, and then be able to sell off the land to private companies for mining, logging, drilling, and development.
My opinion? National parks should be 110% funded by the federal government, and shouldn't have any admission fees at all. I can think of a hell of a lot of worse ways the government can spend my tax dollars than supporting national parks.
Totally agree.BruinsGal_91 wrote: »worth noting. the trump administration just CUT a massive amount of funding for these parks, hence the need for increased admission fees. This entire scheme is a bid to reduce the number of people going to the parks, let them turn to crap, and then be able to sell off the land to private companies for mining, logging, drilling, and development.
My opinion? National parks should be 110% funded by the federal government, and shouldn't have any admission fees at all. I can think of a hell of a lot of worse ways the government can spend my tax dollars than supporting national parks.
Totally agree.
+10 -
Govt does not fund anything. It simply steals money from people (taxes) and then spends it however they feel. So lots of you feel the "govt" should maintain parks. Well what do you say to people who are not able to go to those parks??? Should they be paying for your hikes??? I for one don't care about your hikes. But I will play along. I will pay taxes to pay for your hikes if you pay for my food bill each week. How would you feel about that trade?? Also as for you anti Trump people - I went to Acadia in 2014 under Obama. Guess what - they charged money for things. So please don't bring your personal politics into this as though one side is saintly and the other side evil.
I don't go to the Smithsonian or the National Zoo, yet those places are paid for by me and don't charge admission, and are maintained by the federal government. I feel as though our National Parks deserve the same.9 -
fitoverfortymom wrote: »Govt does not fund anything. It simply steals money from people (taxes) and then spends it however they feel. So lots of you feel the "govt" should maintain parks. Well what do you say to people who are not able to go to those parks??? Should they be paying for your hikes??? I for one don't care about your hikes. But I will play along. I will pay taxes to pay for your hikes if you pay for my food bill each week. How would you feel about that trade?? Also as for you anti Trump people - I went to Acadia in 2014 under Obama. Guess what - they charged money for things. So please don't bring your personal politics into this as though one side is saintly and the other side evil.
I don't go to the Smithsonian or the National Zoo, yet those places are paid for by me and don't charge admission, and are maintained by the federal government. I feel as though our National Parks deserve the same.
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