Date: April 25, 2007
Contact: Dona Rutherford, 307-467-5283 ext. 221
DevilsTower National MonumentAnnounces Proposed Fee Increases for 2008
Devils Tower National Monument Superintendent Dorothy FireCloud has announced that the Monument is proposing to increase its entrance fees effective January 1, 2008. The Monument last increased its entrance fees in 2004; the proposed increases will bring Devils Tower into line with other parks across the country.
The entrance fee for a private, non-commercial vehicle would increase from the current rate of $10.00 to the proposed rate of $15.00. The fee for motorcycles is being amended to $10.00, as we were not charging the correct rate for a motorized vehicle. The individual fee (pedestrians and bicycles) will remain the same at $5.00. All of these entrance fees are good for seven days. The annual park pass will increase from $20.00 to $25.00. “Monies collected from entrance fees go directly toward benefiting the visitors through improved facilities and services”, stated FireCloud.
Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004, a multi-agency fee authority was created for the federal land management agencies. Up to 80% of the fees collected stay in the Park. Without fee revenues, many projects could not be completed because they cannot be funded from the Monument’s existing base budget. Fee revenues collected in the park have financed projects such as complete interior and exterior rehabilitation of the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps era buildings currently used as the Visitor Center, Ranger Station and entrance buildings and replacement of outdated park wayside exhibits. These are just a few of the many projects the park has completed or has planned that would not be possible without the fees collected at the entrance station.
Information meetings have been scheduled to receive public comments on the Monument’s proposed plan to increase entrance fees. These meetings will provide the public with information regarding the proposed fee increases and give them an opportunity to express in writing any thoughts and/or concerns they may have. The meetings are as scheduled:
Mon., May 7th – Sundance, Wyoming Library, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm; Tues., May 8th - Devils Tower National Monument Admin. Bldg, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm; Wed., May 9th – Hulett Civic Center, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm; and Thurs., May 10th – Moorcroft City Hall, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
To provide comments regarding the proposed fee increase, the public may write the Monument at: Superintendent, Devils Tower National Monument, Post Office Box 10, Devils Tower, WY 82714.
