Wednesday, Feb 1, 2006
Background: Congress created the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program (Fee Demo) in 1996. Fee Demo allows all parks, unless specifically prohibited, to collect fees when economically and administratively feasible. The program was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of using fees collected from the public to operate and maintain recreation areas and habitat enhancement projects on public lands. On March 1, 2006, Bandelier National Monument will increase entrance fees approximately 20 percent. The National Park Service annual fee comparability analysis for Bandelier indicates that over the past two years similar park units and attractions have increased some sectors of their fees. While some comparables have risen in small amounts each year, recent significant fee increases, particularly at New Mexico state parks and monuments, indicate the need to increase entrance fees at Bandelier. Bandelier?s entrance fees have not increased since the inception of the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program (Fee Demo) in 1997. The annual analysis indicates a fee increase of 20 percent is appropriate at this time. Increases will take effect on March 1, 2006 as follows:
Week per-vehicle pass from $10 to $12 Week per-person pass from $5 to $6 Bandelier Annual pass from $25 to $30
The new fee increase will not affect the Commercial Tour Group rates this year per agreement with the tourism industry.
Since the inception of the Fee Demo Program, the monument has collected over $5.7 million in fee revenue. Based upon the 2005 annual collection figure of over $562,000, the projected increase for the first part of the fiscal year will exceed $72,000. Based upon current visitation levels, annual revenues in future years would be over $650,000.
Fee Demo funding is utilized at Bandelier National Monument to address backlog maintenance projects, visitor facility improvements, visitor enjoyment enhancements, and safety issues throughout the park. Rehabilitation and resource protection projects in the National Historic District (NHD) are an added emphasis to maintain NHD structure functionality and historic integrity. The fee increase will help the monument accomplish additional critical projects.
Fee Demo has been very well received at Bandelier since its implementation. The public has supported the program over the past eight years and continues to comment positively about the accomplishments at the monument. We do not anticipate any controversy or significant opposition to this fee increase.
Current Status: ? Comparability studies indicate entrance fee increases at approximately 20 percent. ? Increase request was submitted in early 2005 and tentatively approved at the Washington level in September, 2005 ? Notification Plan now in progress for proposed increases ? When approved, increases will take effect on March 1, 2006
Completed Critical Projects Include: ? Rehabilitate Juniper Amphitheater Site ? Replace Trail and Walkway Wayside Exhibits ? Complete Archeological Inventory of New Land Acquisition (Cerro Unit) ? Rehabilitate Boundary Peak Backcountry Trail ? Rehabilitate Main Sewer Lines To Protect Watershed ? Replace Underground Canyon Electric System
Currently Active & Planned Critical Projects Include:
? Rehabilitate Juniper Campground Campsites ? Rehabilitate Main Visitor Loop Trail ? Planning and Fabrication of Visitor Center and Museum Exhibits ? Replace Bandelier Movie and Outdated Theater Equipment
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