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Posted by Francoise Musgrove (87.49.43.9) on 00:36:55 08/17/25
In Reply to: Taxes and fees posted by Buck
"Of the more than four hundred national parks in the National Park System, just over a hundred parks charge an entrance fee. The current Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the National Park Service to collect and retain revenue and requires that fee revenue is used to enhance visitor experience. At least 80 percent of funding from recreation fees stays in the park where it is collected, and the other 20 percent is used to benefit parks that do not collect fees or parks which generate only a small amount of revenue". In Marseille, where I grew up , I joined many years ago a group of rock climbers (CAF=CLUB ALpin Francais). Rock climbing was the thing to do in the calanques. A practice field of sort! At the time, no real management of the environment was in place. Fires, overuse of the area among others became a concern. First the only access road was closed, rocky trails were then the only way to hike to the sea. Visitors had to walk! A break for nature. Many complains of course at the time. None today! No fees but a long, enjoyable hike under the provencal skies. Less crowded too! The last few years, a system has been established to hike directly to the calanques and the tiny islands around them, to keep large boats
to enter the waters. Only kayaks... or swimming. Later I went backpacking in the Alps (France, Italy, Switzerland) and Pyrenees (France, Spain). A very different experience of course. But I became acquainted with the return of the wolves in the Mercantour (France/Italy) and the reintroduction of the European brown bear in the Pyrenees). When I met Bud in Yellowstone, we discovered a "new world" so to speak. It was in 1976. Many things changed since as you know. As it's happening in several famous national parks in a US, fees and rules for a comprehensive and necessary management of the environment are implemented. Reservations for a visit, trails to follow, area to avoid when bears or any protected animal wander, no fire zone, etc. Finally, I Found it very interesting that you label me "politically"! It makes me smile!
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