President Donald Trump’s interior secretary has proposed a massive entrance fee increase at several national parks, including Maine’s Acadia National Park.
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s proposal would create a “peak season fee” of $70 per private, non-commercial vehicle, with the peak season running for five months from June 1 to October 31. It’s an increase of 180 percent over the current $25 pass that is good for a week. Acadia also currently charges $50 for an annual pass.
Acadia is one of 17 parks that might have to charge the increased fees.
According to an article on BangorDailyNews.com, the new entrance fees are aimed at reducing the National Park Service’s $11.33 billion maintenance backlog.
The National Park Service is accepting public comments on the proposal until November 23. Those wishing to comment on the proposed fee increase can do so at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=75576.