The public has spoken. And at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, the staff listened and agreed to shelve, at least temporarily, a plan to increase user fees.
Earlier this month several Maryland lawmakers wrote a letter opposing the proposed increases, saying they would lead to reduced tourism dollars and jobs in their state.
The fees, which would have increased the cost of driving into the park from $5 for three days to $15 for seven days and double camping costs from $10 per night to $20, were part of a move by the National Park Service to increase fees across the park system.
Opposition to the C&O Canal proposal also came from Congress, where U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski demanded more information from Superintendent Kevin Brandt into why the higher fees were being sought.
“Many of my constituents are upset and angry about the proposed new park-wide fees," the Democrat wrote. “This park is a part of their everyday lives and community. They have many questions about the proposal, and I request that you address all of them. I also request you extend the comment period for another forty-eight days.”
In response to the opposition, Superintendent Brandt, who earlier had said he considered the proposed increases reasonable and affordable, announced Friday that the proposal was being withdrawn.
"At this point, we’re midway through robust public meetings. Having heard concerns over the proposal for new fees, the park has decided to rescind its proposal to expand fee collection," he said. “We have seen the great passion we all share for this park displayed over the course of three public meetings and have three more scheduled. At this point, we’re modifying our proposal and will continue public dialogue."
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Comments
Quite ironic that this unprecendented spate of fee increases pushed by Jarvis and former REI head Jewel has resulted in an increased budget proposal for the NPS. Yet the fees not only remain but increase. Paying twice to use public lands and rewarding incompetent NPS brass? . The uproar is growing and rightly so.
Are you sure the growing uproar is not a big echo?
Here's an article from today's Salt Lake Tribune:
http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/outdoors/2143061-156/national-parks-mana...
Some of the comments are interesting, but most are supportive. And remember, this is Utah. Even in the conservative Deseret News, similar articles engender similar comments.