McEachin Opposes Zinke’s Decision to Increase National Park Fees

WASHINGTON – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) signed a letter with Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) and more than 85 colleagues urging Secretary Zinke to refuse the proposed fee increase at 17 national parks, including Virginia’s Shenandoah.

“Our national parks protect sites of outstanding natural beauty. These places form an important part of our heritage; some have powerfully shaped our culture. All Americans deserve the opportunity to visit the parks to relax, learn, or be inspired. For many families, however, higher entrance fees would put park visits out of reach,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. “I find it ironic that Secretary Zinke feels compelled to raise prices at national parks to save money but when it comes to his own luxury travel, the concern disappears."

Last month, the National Park Service (NPS) proposed a new peak season entrance fee at 17 national parks across the country. NPS said that the fee increase would address deferred maintenance needs. In 2016, a record 331 million people visited national parks across the country, spending more than $18 billion in gateway communities and supporting 318,000 jobs.

“The agency’s proposal to increase per-vehicle and per-visitor entrance fees during peak season is misguided and will have a tremendously negative impact for both working families and the local economies that these parks support,” wrote the lawmakers. “We cannot support the raising of entrance fees that may have the unintended consequence of slowing the economy and limiting access to our shared public lands.”

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Full letter text is here and below.

Contact: Jamitress Bowden
(202) 225-6365