American Motorcyclist January 2018

Congressman Offers Park Fee Alternative

Oil, Gas Revenue Would Fund Maintenance

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) wants to stop the proposed fee hikes for popular national parks and, instead, use revenue generated by oil and gas royalties to pay for the backlog of maintenance projects at the National Park Service.

Kilmer told radio station KNKX that the bill has bipartisan support. He is hopeful it will gain traction, because it doesn’t involve raising taxes.

The Park Service proposed significantly raising entrance fees at 17 of the most popular national parks as a way to help address the increasing number of maintenance projects that need funding.

The bill is co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Dave Reichert from Auburn, Wash., and Will Hurd from Texas. There is a companion bill in the Senate.