WSNFC has been alerted to a potential policy change that would create "blackout periods"
during which federal Senior passes would not be honored for the long-standing 50% discount on their campsites during peak visitation seasons.
Starting with a proposed pilot program in selected National Parks, the plan would expand to include all the National Parks as well as campgrounds operated by the BLM and Fish and Wildlife Service.
Seniors are outraged by the proposed change, which would renege on the promise that was made to them when they qualified for and obtained their lifetime pass. The proposal so far does not specifically include holders of Access (permanent disability) passes, but since they receive the same benefit it's likely the change would apply to them as well.
"Confirmation of current practices that 50% senior discounts offered to campers over the age of 62 (established by the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act) apply only to base campsite fees, and introduction of new senior fee blackout periods during peak season periods;"
The blackout periods are part of a much larger proposal to convert nearly all federal campgrounds from agency management to private for-profit operation by commercial concessionaires. Those commercial operators don't want to have to honor the promises made to passholders if it would cut into their prime-season profits. Unlike the National Park Service and other federal land agencies they are not "public service" providers, they are businesses operated for the benefit of their owners and shareholders.
In 2010 when the Forest Service, which uses concessionaires to operate the vast majority of its campgrounds, made the same proposal they were beaten back by a massive outpouring of public opposition from Senior and Disabled Americans. But unlike the Forest Service, which is under the Department of Agriculture, Interior agencies like NPS and BLM don't use concessionaires to nearly the same extent. Some highly developed RV-park campgrounds in National Parks are under private management but the basic, affordable family campgrounds (and all of BLM's campgrounds) are operated directly by the agencies. This proposal would extend concessionaire management, and hence commercialization and privatization, to those more basic campgrounds. It would encourage concessionaires to add "amenities" like wifi, stores, and food trucks - which would of course force camping rates to skyrocket.
And during the most popular seasons there would be no discounts for Seniors or the Disabled!
The Advisory Committee is recommending that this be implemented by December 1, 2019 at selected pilot campgrounds. They do not intend to go to the public - or to Congress - for any kind of feedback or comment.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
At THIS LINK you will find detailed information about the Made In America Committee, including membership and meetings. At the bottom of that website is an email contact form where you can submit your concerns.
If you prefer to contact them by mail or phone, the contact is:
Joshua Winchell, Designated Federal Officer
Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee
MS-2659, Office of Policy
National Park Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
202-354-3950
IN ADDITION, IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND LET THEM KNOW OF YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS PROPOSAL.
THIS PROCESS IS BEING UNDERTAKEN WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH EITHER CONGRESS OR THE PUBLIC.
IT'S UP TO YOU TO INFORM YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND INSIST THAT THEY CALL A HALT BEFORE THIS IS IMPLEMENTED!
CONSTITUENT CONTACT INFORMATION IS AT:
and
