California Park Use Increases as Fees Decline

The SF Chronicle reports that Visitors flood parks after user fee cuts. The article reports that there is a direct impact on public land visitation from fees. While the article begs the question of whether too much use is possible, it clearly correlates the negative impact of fees to diminished visitation. The article also makes the point that the solution to many of the problems of increased use is hiring as many as 200 additional rangers. The benefit to the region's economy appears to make that feasible from a broadened tax base.

Key Quote: "Those 21 million added visitors -- which includes an estimated annual increase of 2.3 million overnight campers -- will pour $2 billion into the economies of communities near parks, the state estimates."

Visitors flood parks after user fee cuts

Understaffed rangers find resources stretched thin

Greg Lucas, Sacramento Bureau Chief
November 5, 2001

Sacramento -- When California cut user fees at its 266 state parks, attendance shot up dramatically, boosting local economies but also crowding campgrounds and piling new burdens on park rangers.

Gov. Gray Davis' administration estimates that since the fee cuts began in 2000, attendance will skyrocket to 93 million annual visitors next June, up from 72 million last year.

Those 21 million added visitors -- which includes an estimated annual increase of 2.3 million overnight campers -- will pour $2 billion into the economies of communities near parks, the state estimates. Link to SF Chronicle for remainder