BOULDER CITY, Nevada -Lake Mead National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service, is seeking public comment on a proposed recreation fee increase.
The National Park Service has updated its current entrance fee schedule, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area has been designated as a Group 2 park. Therefore, the park is proposing to change fees to meet that group's rate.
The below table illustrates the proposed changes.
Fee Type
Current
Fee Rate
Current Validity Dates
Proposed
Fee Rate
Proposed Validity Dates
Daily Vehicle
$ 10.00
1-7 Days
$ 20.00
1-7 Days
Daily Vessel
$ 16.00
1-7 Days
$ 16.00
1-7 Days
Daily Individual
$5.00
1-7 Days
$ 10.00
1-7 Days
Daily Motorcycle
$ 10.00
1-7 Days
$ 15.00
1-7 Days
Annual Vehicle
$ 30.00
Calendar Year
$ 40.00
12 Months
Annual Vessel
$ 30.00
Calendar Year
$ 50.00
Calendar Year
Camping
$ 10.00
1 Night
$ 20.00
1 Night
Group Camping
$ 30.00
1 Night
$ 80.00
1 Night
Under this proposal, annual vehicle passes will change from a sticker system with calendar year validity to a card pass system with validity for 12 consecutive months from purchase. This change guarantees annual vehicle pass holders a full year of access, no matter when they purchase their passes.
"We are committed to keeping the park affordable for our 7 million annual visitors," said Acting Superintendent Patrick Gubbins. "If a family with a vehicle and boat purchased the annual passes, the cost to experience Lake Mead National Recreation Area would break down to $7.50 a month. We believe this is still a great value."
Since 2000, fee dollars have funded launch ramp extensions, the construction of Princess Cove Road in the Katherine Landing area of Lake Mohave, the construction of park entrance and visitor information stations, additional crews to remove litter, floating bathrooms/pump-out stations, and navigation buoys and lights. The current fees have been in place since 2011.
Based on Bureau of Reclamation lake level projections for Lake Mead, park officials estimate that it will cost approximately $5 million over the next few years to extend launch ramps, relocate portable restrooms and grade beaches and dirt roads necessary for lake access. This fee change will allow the park to maintain access to one of the nation's most popular water recreation destinations.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area continues to be a strong economic engine for the surrounding area. In 2013, its visitors contributed $260 million to the local economy and supported nearly 3,000 jobs related to tourism.
Fee revenue will also be used to support projects that have a direct visitor benefit and improve the visitors' experience, such as repair and maintenance of facilities, capital improvements, enhanced amenities, resource protection and additional visitor programs and services.
Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age or holders of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Senior, Access or Military Passes.
* The America the Beautiful Pass, which is $80 per year, grants visitors access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five federal agencies, including Lake Mead and Red Rock Canyon.
* The Senior Pass is available to U.S. Citizens or permanent residents age 62 and over. It is a lifetime pass with a one-time charge of $10.
* The U.S. Military Pass is a free annual pass available to current U.S. military members and their dependents.
* The Access Pass is a free lifetime pass available for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
* People who volunteer 250 service hours with federal agencies may receive a free annual volunteer pass.
The park service continues to offer entrance fee-free days. The fee-free days for 2015 are Feb. 14-16, April 18-19, Aug. 25, Sept. 26 and Nov. 11.
The public is encouraged to comment on these proposed changes. Feedback will be accepted through March 11 both online at https://www.nps.gov/lake/parkmgmt/comment-and-review.htm and via U.S. Mail at: Lake Mead National Recreation Area Superintendent, Attention: Proposed Fee Increase, 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, Nevada 89005.
The new fees could be implemented by Jan. 1, 2016. However, the implementation schedule may vary based on feedback provided during the 30-day public engagement period.
-NPS-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
