Montana Lawmakers Pushing Foreign Tourist Fees For National Parks

“National Parks are Americas best idea and maintaining that legacy for future generations means making smart investments in the management of the parks.”

Those are the words Thursday (July 31) of Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke, who along with Montana Senator Tim Sheehy, West Virginia Congressman Riley Moore and Indiana Senator Jim Banks introduced the bicameral "Protecting America’s Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas Tourists in Parks Act" (PATRIOT Parks Act). It would authorize a surcharge for most foreign tourists visiting national parks. If implemented, the bill would ensure foreign visitors contribute their "fair share to the upkeep and preservation of America’s most treasured places."

In a press release from Congressman Zinke's office, the Congressman was also quoted as saying, “Americans already pay for parks in our tax dollars as well as at the gates. It’s unfair to American taxpayers to foot the bill for millions of foreign visitors. Almost every other country charges foreign visitors more, it’s common sense.”

The National Park Service (NPS) has a $23 billion deferred maintenance infrastructure backlog. NPS relies on appropriated funds from tax dollars, Great American Outdoors Act funds from energy leasing, and entrance fees to address infrastructure needs. By law, under the current formula for entrance fees, 80% of the fees collected at a park stay IN the park where they are collected. The remaining 20% of entry fees is distributed to non-fee collecting parks to improve infrastructure and visitor experience. The foreign visitors surcharge will use the same formula ensuring all parks benefit from this funding.

HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

The foreign visitors surcharge will use the same formula ensuring all parks benefit from this funding. Proponents of the bill point out that people travel from around the world to experience America's national parks, and now they can help conserve them, too.  According to the Property and Environment Research Center, a surcharge of just $40 per foreign visitor would raise $528 million for our park system.

NO, CANADA (GLACIER)

Canadian citizens visiting Glacier National Park would be exempt from the surcharge in recognition of the joint stewardship of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Fee-collecting monuments in Washington, D.C., are also exempted.