Washington, D.C. (WVDN) – Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02) and Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01) applauded the Trump Administration’s decision to implement a new fee structure for an annual pass to national parks. The recent policy, issued by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, establishes an Annual Pass that will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents and will apply an additional $100 surcharge per foreign visitor to enter 11 of the most visited national parks while keeping the entrance fee for Americans the same.
The National Parks system faces a $23 billion deferred maintenance backlog.
Congressman Moore and Congressman Zinke issued the following joint statement:
“President Trump and Secretary Burgum are putting Americans first by asking foreign visitors to pay their fair share while holding entrance fees steady for the American people. This policy ensures that our beautiful national heritage is preserved and the critical maintenance backlog is addressed so that America’s national parks will remain affordable, well-maintained, and financially sustainable for generations to come. We owe it to future generations of Americans – our children and grandchildren – to ensure our beautiful natural heritage that God created is well preserved.
“Now, Congress must act to codify this America-First fee structure by passing our bill, The PATRIOT Parks Act. Our legislation is essential to guaranteeing that these reforms remain in place for generations to come, and that Americans are put First in our own parks.”
In July, Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02) and Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01) introduced the PATRIOT Parks Act in the House- which codifies President Trump’s Executive Order “Making America Beautiful Agenda by Improving Our National Parks.” Senators Jim Banks (R-IN) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
