NOW is the time to let those who manage access to our Parks know what you think about an astronomical increase in per vehicle fees entering the Park during peak season. The comment period ends NOVEMBER 23 , December 22, 2017, extended due to heavy response. ADD to it, please.

Here’s the gist of what our President and the Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke are proposing.

The Board of Directors of FOJT has this position on the topic;

There are better ways to handle the increase in visitation and chronic under-funding of Parks than to deploy the simple ‘demand vs. supply’ curve of business 101 (demand goes up, prices go up). Also we vehemently oppose this proposal in concert with a double-digit percentage decrease in funding for the National Park Service (-$300MM). We advocate for more creativity in solutions; leave behind the ‘Old West’ treatment of public lands (as Extract then Fix resources), and move forward into the modern Experience Economy. This is the change needed in Washington D.C. and in Joshua Tree to create sustainable funding to invest in infrastructure and maintenance and to support the local economy.

“Congress already has a better solution at its fingertips. A bill known as the National Park Service Legacy Act would establish a dedicated park maintenance fund to invest a more substantial amount toward the Park Service repair backlog. This investment, plus a responsible current federal budget, would make real progress toward restoring and improving parks for the future — without creating hurdles that could keep people out of their public lands.” (from the National Parks Conservation Association).

However you feel about it, let your public servants know what you want when it comes to pricing and access to our National Parks.

Here’s the link to give feedback and help our leaders do the right thing with this latest development in reshaping our access to Joshua Tree National Park. Remember, NOVEMBER 23 . December 22 is the deadline. Spread the Word.

BOD, FOJT