Utah Republican Congressman Introduces Bill That Would Increase Public Lands Fee

[bigtex]

Congressman Proposes Overhaul To Fee Programs On National Parks, Other Public Lands
Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on July 28, 2014 - 1:27am

It could get more expensive to enjoy your public lands -- national parks, national forests, and BLM landscapes -- under legislation introduced to Congress/Lee DaltonLegislation introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives could, if enacted as drafted, require the National Park Service to determine "a nationally consistent entrance fee policy and corresponding rate structure" for the 401 units of the National Park System, a potentially sweeping requirement that seemingly could generate tens of millions of additional dollars for the parks.

The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah and introduced to the House this past Friday, comes as the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act teeters on the brink of sunsetting. Congress last fall extended the Act, which governs recreational fees the federal government can charge on public lands, through the end of 2015.

Under the Act, the federal land-management agencies are permitted to sell the so-called America the Beautiful Pass that allows entry into lands that charge entrance fees, as well as charge fees for a growing range of activities. The Act has been criticized as a way for land managers to offset diminishing federal budget revenues with more and more fees on things like interpretive programs, backcountry fees, camping fees, and boating fees. It also has been reviled as a "pay to play" system for public lands, or a "rat tax" -- recreation access tax.

At the same time, the Interior Department promotes the Act as enabling "federal land management agencies to provide quality recreation experiences for hundreds of millions of visitors every year to some of America’s most scenic, iconic, awe-inspiring, historical, and culturally rich lands and resources."

Far and away, according to the Interior report, the National Park Service benefits most from the revenue stream, receiving $172.4 million in Fiscal Year 2011. The U.S. Forest Service stood second in revenues, with $64.9 million.

Currently, 133 of the 401 units of the park system have entrance fees. Rep. Bishop's legislation seemingly could change that by requiring the Interior secretary to develop a "nationally consistent entrance fee policy and corresponding rate structure..."

However, there was some uncertainty as to whether the legislation would indeed require entrance fees for all units of the National Park System. Emily Douce, a budget and appropriations specialist with the National Parks Conservation Association, said Sunday night that it was her understanding that the intent, despite the lack of guidance or restrictions in the legislation's language, was not to force entrance fees across the board but to ensure that parks with similar amenities -- campgrounds, restroom facilities, picnic areas, for example -- charged similar fees.

Ms. Douce, working with the National Parks Second Century Action Coalition, a group formed a year ago to promote the protection and operation of the parks, acknowledged, though, that the legislation on its face could be read to mean the Park Service would have to establish rates for all units of the system.

The Coalition is fully supportive of the legislation, applauding Rep. Bishop "for introduing important legislation that would allow national parks and other federal lands to continue to retain the fees they collect in order to enhance recreational opportunities for visitors."

"Congressman Bishop's legislation helps preserve a vital part of the funding stream for our national parks and other federal lands," Craig Obey, NPCA's senior vice president and chair of the Coalition, said in a prepared statement to be released Monday. "The Coalition will continue to work with Congress to make adjustments to the bill as it moves through the legislative process."

"I guess the Congress of 2014 has decided that public lands are nothing more than revenue generators for the agencies, not places where all Americans have access and feel welcome. It's the end of our federal public lands system (FS & BLM) as we have known it. Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot are rolling in their graves." -- Kitty Benzar.The legislation calls for the price of the America the Beautiful Pass, currently $80 a year, to be recalculated every three years "to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers over the same period..." The $10 lifetime pass for senior citizens, the free pass given to permanently disabled citizens, and free passes for active U.S. military members, would remain under the current version of the legislation.

Rep. Bishop also would restrict sales of the America the Beautiful passes to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, a move that likely would prove unpopular with international travelers who come to the United States to see a number of national parks on one visit.

"I guess all those international visitors will be paying full freight. Wonder how that might affect visitation at parks where they make up a large percentage of visitors?" Kitty Benzar, president of the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition that long has fought fee creep on public lands, told the Traveler in an email Sunday. "But hey, they don't vote, so who cares about them?"

The bill also includes provisions that would make it more costly to visit national forests and Bureau of Land Management landscapes.

"The bill would remove all protections for Americans to have basic access to their National Forests and BLM lands," said Ms. Benzar. "The prohibitions currently in place against fees solely for parking, for general access, for camping outside of developed campgrounds, for scenic overlooks, all of that would be repealed. We would be back to the anything-goes days of unlimited fee authority that we had under Fee Demo, and against which the American public spoke up loud and clear, which is why the Congress in 2004 put those prohibitions in there.

"I guess the Congress of 2014 has decided that public lands are nothing more than revenue generators for the agencies, not places where all Americans have access and feel welcome. It's the end of our federal public lands system (FS & BLM) as we have known it. Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot are rolling in their graves."

The legislation would allow the Park Service to charge a fee for shuttle bus operations, such as those at Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, though the cost would be capped at the amount charged for entrance to the park unit in question. While the legislation does permit fees for interpretive programs, it specifies that "before the Secretary may charge a fee for interpretive programs, the Secretary shall identify basic interpretive programs and services, including tours required to provide basic visitor access to a primary resource in a unit, that will be provided free of charge.’’

The measure also would allow the Park Service to charge fees for recreation on public lands and waters "when the Secretary determines that the visitor uses a specific or specialized facility, equipment, or service..."

Under Rep. Bishop's proposal, at least 90 percent of the collected fees, up from the current 80 percent benchmark, would remain with the unit of the park system where it was collected for use. However, before any new fees, or fee increases, could be instituted, this legislation would require Congress to approve them.

Overall, said Ms. Benzar, "There is nothing good in this bill for the public, only for the federal bureaucrats in the agencies. They got everything they wanted and then some. I will be doing everything in my power to stop this from passing."

The House Natural Resources Committee is expected to review the bill Wednesday.
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2014/07/congressman-proposes-overhaul-fee-programs-national-parks-other-public-lands25428

[bigtex]

The bill also includes provisions that would make it more costly to visit national forests and Bureau of Land Management landscapes.

"The bill would remove all protections for Americans to have basic access to their National Forests and BLM lands," said Ms. Benzar. "The prohibitions currently in place against fees solely for parking, for general access, for camping outside of developed campgrounds, for scenic overlooks, all of that would be repealed. We would be back to the anything-goes days of unlimited fee authority that we had under Fee Demo, and against which the American public spoke up loud and clear, which is why the Congress in 2004 put those prohibitions in there.

Obviously this one would impact hunters. Currently BLM and USFS can only charge at developed areas, NPS and USFWS can charge entrance/access fees. However under the bill the requirement of fees in only developed areas would be repealed. It could mean simply parking a vehicle would require a federal pass.

Looks like the feds could be headed towards a version of the Discover Pass...

[bigtex]

Certainly thought this thread would've taken off by now 

[JimmyHoffa]

The bill also includes provisions that would make it more costly to visit national forests and Bureau of Land Management landscapes.

"The bill would remove all protections for Americans to have basic access to their National Forests and BLM lands," said Ms. Benzar. "The prohibitions currently in place against fees solely for parking, for general access, for camping outside of developed campgrounds, for scenic overlooks, all of that would be repealed. We would be back to the anything-goes days of unlimited fee authority that we had under Fee Demo, and against which the American public spoke up loud and clear, which is why the Congress in 2004 put those prohibitions in there.

Obviously this one would impact hunters. Currently BLM and USFS can only charge at developed areas, NPS and USFWS can charge entrance/access fees. However under the bill the requirement of fees in only developed areas would be repealed. It could mean simply parking a vehicle would require a federal pass.

Looks like the feds could be headed towards a version of the Discover Pass...

If they do, I hope the groups that buy the pass have their money go towards their hobby....not 8% to what they actually use and 84% to greenies.

[fireweed]

Don't like general entrance fees at all.  Fees for service is ok to a degree.  It would be a nightmare to require a fee to drive through some national parks because they are laced with state highways.  Think Hwy 20, Olympics.

[bearpaw]

This is not good, everyone wonders why Americans are not recreating as much, the answer is simple, they can't afford it and this will make it worse. There should be no charge to access forest and blm lands, we own them, or at least we are supposed to own them.

[pianoman9701]

All national parks should be pay to play. If it has facilities, people should pay for them - campgrounds, toilets, lodges, etc. Maintained trailhead parking should also require some kind of pass. Wildlife refuges should also have access fees, if very small. However, unmaintained campsites, roads going through public lands, and the lands themselves have already been paid for. We shouldn't have to buy a pass to recreate in the national forest, on BLM land, or other federal lands. The do it in WA - sportsmen and women pay for all the public land management with the Discover Pass and the licenses. Discover Pass in no way should be required for DNR land and state forests. It should only be required for maintained trails, parks, and facilities where there is something value added - toilets, campgrounds, attractions and visitor centers, etc.

[returnofsid]

I could see this eventually leading to more than just a fee, but an actual inability to even use these lands, under conditions set by the government.  As an example, no firearms allowed, no overnight camping, etc.  BAD BAD BAD!

[bhawley76]

Just another way to make an honest guy an outlaw.

[Special T]

The bill also includes provisions that would make it more costly to visit national forests and Bureau of Land Management landscapes.

"The bill would remove all protections for Americans to have basic access to their National Forests and BLM lands," said Ms. Benzar. "The prohibitions currently in place against fees solely for parking, for general access, for camping outside of developed campgrounds, for scenic overlooks, all of that would be repealed. We would be back to the anything-goes days of unlimited fee authority that we had under Fee Demo, and against which the American public spoke up loud and clear, which is why the Congress in 2004 put those prohibitions in there.

Obviously this one would impact hunters. Currently BLM and USFS can only charge at developed areas, NPS and USFWS can charge entrance/access fees. However under the bill the requirement of fees in only developed areas would be repealed. It could mean simply parking a vehicle would require a federal pass.

Looks like the feds could be headed towards a version of the Discover Pass...

There in lies the problem. While i wish everything could be "free" paid by our current taxes i realize that  if I want to use services i need to fork out something. I HATE this idea because once again it tries to get sportsmen to pay for services they are not using. IF i take my kids to Yellowstone to camp and see the park, I'm ok with paying the entrance fee. I will want improved campgrounds, toilts, tours and those activites offered.  I DO NOT think its fair to have to pay a fee to take my kids camping when i park my rig at the wide spot in the road, and pitch a tent in the woods. Same with parking on the side of the road and going hunting. NO services used, no need to pay. I think you will find that this propsed pass will not raise the kind of $ that the Feds HOPE it will.  Feds 

[bigtex]

The interesting thing for me is the sponsor of the bill, Rob Bishop of Utah. Bishop is known as one of the most conservative Republicans in Congress and when it comes to federal land management he is about as anti fed management as you can get. He was the sponsor of legislation this year that would've largely removed the authority of a President to designate a national monument without congressional approval.

Yet here he is basically proposing a free-for-all for federal agencies when it comes to who, where, and how fees could be assessed. If anything I would've expected him to further restrict the restrictions already in place 

[bigtex]

Don't like general entrance fees at all.  Fees for service is ok to a degree.  It would be a nightmare to require a fee to drive through some national parks because they are laced with state highways.  Think Hwy 20, Olympics.

From what I understand the current policy of the Natl Park Service (and it may actually be in law) is that if there is no close alternate road for a person to travel on then they don't charge someone for using the road that goes through the NPS area. However, if there is a close alternate then the NPS will charge a fee on that road. This is why 410 through Rainier, 101 through Olympic, and 20 through Ross Lake NRA don't charge fees. But if you get off of 410 or 101 you have to pay a fee.

During the shutdown I read about an NPS area in Pennsylvania that actually operates tolls on a road where a large majority of people paying aren't recreating on the NPS lands, the NPS charges the fee because there is a close alternate that people could use.