Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the Trump administration announced a plan to hike entrance fees for foreign tourists to visit certain National Park Service sites.
Non-U.S. residents will now be required to pay a $100 fee to enter the 11 most popular national park sites. The price of an annual national park pass for non-U.S. residents will also rise from $80 to $250. Non-U.S. residents also won't be able to take advantage of "fee-free days" at national parks.
The moves come after a year of cuts and layoffs at the Department of the Interior and National Park Service. Earlier this year, the Trump administration laid off approximately 2,300 employees at Interior, including the termination of about 1,000 NPS employees, along with a chaotic freezing of seasonal hiring, which was subsequently reversed.
The administration also planned to lay off thousands of employees during the federal government shutdown, according to court filings. During the 43-day federal government shutdown, the Trump administration forced national park sites to remain open to visitors with skeleton crew staffing, leading to reports of vandalism, fires, and increased danger for park visitors.
In response, Gerry Seavo James, Deputy Campaign Director for Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign, released the following statement:
“Donald Trump is setting the Park Service up to fail. For nearly a year, the Trump administration has worked to undermine the National Park Service, slashing its budget and firing its dedicated staff. Gouging foreign tourists at the entrance gate won’t provide the financial support these crown jewels of our public lands need. Without that support, we run the risk of our true common grounds becoming nothing more than playgrounds for the super-rich.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.