Crater Lake Nat'l Park potential fee increases (likely)

[Water]

Source: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cf ... ntID=62583

provide your comment: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentFor ... ntID=62583

[IMHO, I am not in favor of increases for a variety of reasons, at any of our National Parks]

Crater Lake National Park Proposes Entrance Fee Increases
Crater Lake National Park is considering increases in entrance fees based on new standards being implemented for national parks across the country. Under the proposal Crater Lake would be placed into a tier that includes most major national parks. The single vehicle entrance fee would increase from $10 to $25 for a seven day pass. Individual and motorcycle entrance fees, also good for seven days, would increase from $5 to $12 for individuals and from $5 to $20 for motorcycles. Due to anticipated major roadways construction beginning in 2015 and other factors, Crater Lake Superintendent Craig Ackerman said that one alternative is to phase in the increase over a period of several years rather than all at once. At a future date, when major road construction projects have been completed, fees could rise to the level that would put Crater Lake at the same rates as other national parks of similar size and visitation.

Interagency Passes, which are honored at all federally managed land units, are not affected by the proposed fee increase and will remain at $80 for the regular pass, $10 for the Senior Pass and free for the Access and Military passes. The current park entrance fees have been in place since 1997, when a seven day pass was increased from $5 to $10 per vehicle. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $10 in 1997 is equivalent to $14.83 in 2014. Any fee increase would allow Crater Lake to maintain consistent revenue while adjusting accordingly for inflation.

The additional revenue from the fee increase would be used to enhance visitor services, including repair and maintenance of park facilities, restoration and rehabilitation of visitor service buildings, provide additional park programs, interpretive media and transportation services, and increase resource protection. Examples of projects already paid for or in process using entrance fees include the complete reconstruction of the Cleetwood Cove Bulkhead and Dock facility, the expansion of the Cleetwood parking area, repaving of Mazama Campground, design and construction of the Plaikni Falls Trail and development of the park's High Definition orientation video.

A public engagement period on the proposed fee increase is open today, Thursday, November 20 through Monday, December 22, 2014. The easiest way for the public to comment is through a special website set up to receive responses http://parkplanning.nps.gov/crlaproposedfeeincrease. Comments will also be accepted via email at [email protected] and via U.S. Mail at: Superintendent, Attention: Proposed Fee Increase, P.O. Box 7 Crater Lake, OR 97604.

The new fees could be implemented in early 2015. However, the implementation schedule may vary based on the results of public feedback. The park will develop an implementation schedule that supports local communities and interested stakeholders.

The park is a strong economic engine for the region and local communities. In 2013, more than 523,027 park visitors contributed $43.7 million to the local economy and supported 661 jobs related to tourism. Previous fee increases have had no negative effect on visitation levels. This fee increase would be part of a larger National Park Service initiative to standardize fees in similar national parks across the country.

[adamschneider]

I saw the subject line and figured they'd bump it up from $10 to $15. But $25?! Holy cow.

[kelkev]

Not happy about it, but doesn't surprise me a bit. They'll raise the fee, no matter how much static they get from the public. Taxes, fees......oops, don't get me started

[Grannyhiker]

This is a nationwide thing. It should result in the sale of more annual passes, since the fees will add up to the $80 cost of the pass a lot faster for those visiting several parks or visiting one park more often.

[drm]

One problem here is how usage works. For a long-distance visit for a family for 5-7 days, $25 is a great deal. But many of us visit these parks for a day or two, and sometimes just one or two of us. And I agree with Granny. I rarely buy the $80 pass because I go to the forests a lot more than the parks. But I suppose that will go up as well?

[Grannyhiker]

What I've read so far says that the pass prices will remain the same. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers all Federal lands, not just national parks, so be sure to count in what you're paying for the NW Forest Pass when calculating if it's worthwhile. http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html Do note that if you're 62 or over, the Senior Pass ($10, for a lifetime) is an awesome bargain.

[drm]

What I've read so far says that the pass prices will remain the same. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers all Federal lands, not just national parks, so be sure to count in what you're paying for the NW Forest Pass when calculating if it's worthwhile.

I don't pay anything - I get it free because of my volunteer activity. I think I was offered 3 NWF passes last year.

http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html Do note that if you're 62 or over, the Senior Pass ($10, for a lifetime) is an awesome bargain.

Still a few years to go there.

I'm guessing that a lot of negative feedback may cause the increases to be somewhat smaller. I wouldn't be that surprised if they proposed these large percentage increases up to $25 so that they can dial it back a bit in response to negative feedback and still get the smaller increase.

[BigBear]

Although I always wince at increases in trailhead fees (simply because it prices many people out of the woods), I can't get as upset with paying $25 for a week in a national park as compared to $10 for a single day's hike on Hamilton Mountain. Washington State Parks has experienced a 40% decline in state park use since the $10 (or your first-born) fee was imposed. The rangers at Beacon Rock have taken a clandestine posture (similar to prison guards shuffling convicts) to enforce this fee on anyone who even glances in the general direction of Beacon Rock. It's a shame they don't put as much effort into trail maintenance on that exposed section of trail (that's what I really want the money to go towards).

The biggest issue on the fee increase is that the average national park visitor only spends a few hours in the park (as in driving through the park). At Glacier NP, for example, 100 years ago the average visit was 7 days (cabin-to-cabin) and now the average visit is only a few hours (literally the time it takes to drive from Apgar to St. Mary on the Going-to-the-Sun Road (source: NPS brochure handed out at the entry station).

Fortunately for my wife and I, the Golden Age pass is only a couple of years away.

I'm sure a few friends of the park service will feel I went too far in my comments, but even the most soft-hearted advocates will have to admit that if we saw the money put into trail maintenance, as opposed to signage for fees and the hiring of "lot lizards," that the cost burden would be looked upon more favorably.

[-Q-]

I agree that a 1 day or 2 day pass at a reduced price would be nice.
Wonder why they don't offer that.

[Guy]

Although I always wince at increases in trailhead fees (simply because it prices many people out of the woods), I can't get as upset with paying $25 for a week in a national park as compared to $10 for a single day's hike on Hamilton Mountain. Washington State Parks has experienced a 40% decline in state park use since the $10 (or your first-born) fee was imposed. The rangers at Beacon Rock have taken a clandestine posture (similar to prison guards shuffling convicts) to enforce this fee on anyone who even glances in the general direction of Beacon Rock. It's a shame they don't put as much effort into trail maintenance on that exposed section of trail (that's what I really want the money to go towards).

The biggest issue on the fee increase is that the average national park visitor only spends a few hours in the park (as in driving through the park). At Glacier NP, for example, 100 years ago the average visit was 7 days (cabin-to-cabin) and now the average visit is only a few hours (literally the time it takes to drive from Apgar to St. Mary on the Going-to-the-Sun Road (source: NPS brochure handed out at the entry station).

Fortunately for my wife and I, the Golden Age pass is only a couple of years away.

I'm sure a few friends of the park service will feel I went too far in my comments, but even the most soft-hearted advocates will have to admit that if we saw the money put into trail maintenance, as opposed to signage for fees and the hiring of "lot lizards," that the cost burden would be looked upon more favorably.

Exactly!!