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Glacier Park Proposes Entrance Fee Increases

Public comments on proposal due by Dec. 19

By Beacon Staff

Glacier National Park is seeking public comment on a proposal to increase entrance fees to the park for the first time in nine years, as well as with creating a new motorized boat-launch fee and increasing the camping fee at Many Glacier.

If approved, the changes would take place in May 2015.

According to a statement from the park, the proposed fee increases would apply to annual passes as well, increasing the cost from $35 to $60.

Other proposed entrance fee changes include: summer vehicle seven-day entrance fee increased from $25 to $30, with the winter fee changing from $15 to $20; the individual hiker/biker summer seven-day entrance fee would change from $12 to $15, and the winter fee would remain at $10; and the seven-day entrance fee for a motorcycle would increase from $12 per person to $25 per motorcycle in the summer and from $10 per person to $15 per motorcycle in the winter.

The new proposed boat launch fee would be for all motorized boats accessing park waters, and would be $10 for a seven-day permit or $40 for an annual permit. Revenue collected from these fees would help with boater education, monitoring and improvements to boat launch facilities, the park said.

The park’s proposal also includes increasing the camping fee at the Many Glacier Campground from $20 to $23, and using the federal reservation system for approximately half of the campsites, with the remaining sites remaining on a first-come, first-serve system.

Another proposed increase would apply to group campsites, which the park is seeking to increase from $60 to $65 for first-come, first-serve sites.

The park estimated that the increased fees would add $500,000 to Glacier’s funding, and would be used for “projects that enhance visitor services and facilities, including interpretive programs at campgrounds, the backcountry campsite reservation program, repair and restoration of trails, restoration of wildlife habitat, improvement and replacement of restroom facilities, preservation and maintenance of roads, and shuttle bus operation and maintenance.”

Public feedback on the proposed fee changes should be submitted to the park by Dec. 19. Comments can be emailed by visiting http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GlacierNationalParkFeeIncrease or written comments may be mailed to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Fee Proposal, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, Montana 59936.

Following receipt and analysis of public feedback, a decision will be made on fee changes and timing of implementation. For more information, contact the park at 406-888-7800.