PLACING AMERICANS AT THE FOREFRONT: In a decisive move today, President Donald J. Trump has enacted an Executive Order aimed at enhancing our cherished national parks. This initiative will see an increase in entrance fees for foreign tourists, with the goal of bolstering services, access, and affordability for American families.
- The Executive Order instructs the Secretary of the Interior to raise fees exclusively for foreign visitors, ensuring that national parks remain more accessible and enjoyable for American families.
- Moreover, it mandates the National Park Service to prioritize U.S. residents in any permitting or reservation systems, thereby increasing park accessibility for American families.
RESTORING THE SPLENDOR OF OUR NATIONAL PARKS: The additional revenue generated from these increased fees is expected to amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, funding vital conservation projects aimed at enhancing our national parks.
- Raising entrance fees for foreign tourists aligns with practices seen in national parks across the globe, where such policies support both conservation efforts and affordable access for local residents.
- This fee adjustment will catalyze investments in our national parks, help alleviate the maintenance backlog, enable essential infrastructure improvements, and support conservation projects that enhance the beauty of our natural landscapes.
- Furthermore, this fee structure promotes equity: American taxpayers contribute to the funding of national parks and public lands, yet they currently pay the same entrance fees as foreign visitors who do not contribute to U.S. taxes. This Executive Order rectifies this imbalance, prioritizing the interests of American citizens.
- Back in 2020, when President Trump enacted the Great American Outdoors Act, the National Park Service faced a maintenance backlog of $14.9 billion. Under the current administration, this backlog has ballooned to over $22.9 billion. This new Order aims to rectify this situation and improve our national parks.
CELEBRATING OUR CONSERVATION HERITAGE: Since the era of Republican President Teddy Roosevelt, the United States has been a pioneer in conservation policy. This Executive Order reinforces our commitment to this legacy, reinvesting in our natural treasures while ensuring that the needs of American citizens come first.
- During his first term, President Trump enacted the Great American Outdoors Act, heralded as the largest investment in America’s national parks and public lands to date, marking a significant milestone in conservation efforts since the presidency of Teddy Roosevelt.
- This Executive Order builds upon President Trump’s legacy as a champion of conservation and fulfills his promise to prioritize American interests.
