Mount Rainier as viewed from the Gobbler's Knob fire lookout in July 2017 at Mount Rainier National Park.
In a letter sent Friday morning, Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz has objected to a proposal to increase entrance fees at national parks from U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.
The proposal would affect entrance fees at Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks, which draw more than 5 million visitors annually, according to a news release from Franz’s office.
Franz noted in the letter that higher entrance fees will limit the public’s ability to visit national parks and would harm the rural communities nearby.
“One of the core reasons we have public lands is to make them accessible to the public,” Franz said. “The exorbitant entrance fees outlined in this proposal will do the opposite of that, depriving millions of Americans of the chance to experience these national wonders.”
Zinke in October proposed increasing fees from $25 to $30 per vehicle to $70.
Washington’s National Parks provided $400 million annually into the state’s economy, according to Franz’ office. The increased fees will likely decrease that and hurt businesses near the parks.
“We’ve seen in the past that even modest increases to national park fees have led directly to decreased visitations,” Franz said.
“That hurts the surf shop owner in Port Angeles, the gas station owner in Ashford, the hotelier in Aberdeen, the outfitter in Brinnon and the teenagers who year for opportunities to earn a decent wage in their hometowns.”
Franz has urged support instead for the National Park Service Legacy Act of 2017, sponsored by 12 senators and 54 representatives, which would dedicate funding from mineral leases on federal land to maintain national parks.
