The National Park Service is proposing higher camping fees at Dinosaur National Monument/NPS file
The National Park Service is seeking public input on proposed increases to camping fees at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado. The proposed fee increases are based on comparability studies done with surrounding private and public facilities.
Comparability studies are done on a regular basis to compare rates and amenities at area private and public campgrounds to ensure that the National Park Service is not unfairly competing with nearby private businesses or putting them at a disadvantage. Camping fees at Dinosaur National Monument were last increased in 2016.
“We take our commitment to providing affordable access to the monument very seriously,” said acting Superintendent Jason Griswold. “We want to provide our visitors with the best possible experience. One way of achieving that goal is to collect and invest funds from camping fees into providing visitor services and maintaining facilities.”
To provide feedback about the proposed camping fee changes please go to this Park Service website to find out more information and submit your comments between May 1 and June 1, 2024. You can also send comments to e-mail us with “proposed camping fees” in the subject line by June 1, 2024. Feedback the monument receives will help determine how and when camping fee increases may be implemented.
Comments
The Biden regime continues its war on our public lands
Chris, fee hikes have been routine for the NPS for years. They go way back beyond the Biden administration. In fact, I believe legislation requires the NPS to adjust fees so as not to undercut private operations outside the parks. I don't necessarily agree with that, but that's another story.
They go way back beyond the Biden administration.
Fee increases do go way back, but that's not the point.
The current regime boasts about taking care of the "little guy", getting rid of "junk fees", bringing down inflation, fightin' big corporations--you know, that whole "Scranton Joe" schtick.
Increasing the costs to taxpayers of visiting and using OUR parks doesn't fit well into that whole fake Scranton Joe meme, does it?
One way of achieving that goal is to collect and invest funds from camping fees into providing visitor services and maintaining facilities."
Another goal should be to use taxpayer funds WISELY. Having to repair/replace an HVAC system at Quarry VC that was brand new 10-15 years ago is criminal.
With someone else's money, heck, doing things right takes a back seat to just spending more for the same old stuff.
A. Johnson, it's not up to Biden.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) requires that recreational fees are appropriate to the benefits and services provided. Fees charged by the NPS must be comparable to fees charged by others in the local area for similar benefits and services.
FLREA is 24 years old.
Under FLREA, the recreational fees charged, or increases thereto, are discretionary, not mandatory:
SS 6802. Recreation fee authority (a) Authority of Secretary Beginning in fiscal year 2005 and thereafter, the Secretary may establish, modify, charge, and collect recreation fees at Federal recreational land
Now, once the Sec'y (DOI) decides to assess or increase a fee, FLREA mandates:
(b) Basis for recreation fees Recreation fees shall be established in a manner consistent with the following criteria: (1) The amount of the recreation fee shall be commensurate with the benefits and services provided to the visitor. (2) The Secretary shall consider the aggregate effect of recreation fees on recreation users and recreation service providers. (3) The Secretary shall consider comparable fees charged elsewhere and by other public agencies and by nearby private sector operators
Reading and understanding federal statutes is akin to suffering a root canal without numbing, but the decision to assess or increase fees under FLREA is wholly discretionary. FLREA does not require any recreational fee to be increased.
And as we know, the DOI Sec'y is a Biden appointee.
My apologies for the term "regime." I feel these policies go back to Trump, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, etc...
this is just the latest and perhaps most impactful admin in regards to our public lands and access to therof.fThat said- since when has taxpayer backed federal land been considered on par with privatel held campsites?
Fees at NPS facilities are supposed to be low because they are taxpayer backed- its OUR land... and its hard to get to for the most part- unlike privately held campgrounds and the such.