PORT ANGELES — Because of public opposition, Olympic National Park has dropped its plans to raise its entrance and visitor use fees.
Prices will remain the same through at least 2009.
Park officials had proposed an increase from $15 to $25 for a seven-day entrance pass for a vehicle and its passengers and from $5 to $12 for an individual on a bike or on foot.
Olympic’s annual pass was to be hiked from $30 to $50.
Camping and overnight wilderness use fees also were to be increased.
The increases had been criticized by the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce and a number of local businesses concerned that people would be discouraged from visiting the park.
“There was very little support for raising fees,” said Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman on Tuesday.
“The public told us that, and we listened to what people said.”
The fee increase was part of a broader money-raising effort at national parks across the country.
It had triggered strong opposition in parts of the West.
People feared that the increases would lead to a drop in tourism, which would hurt local businesses, and that the higher prices would be too much for low-income families to pay, Maynes said.
People thought the increases were just too much, she added, even though many said they were happy to pay an entrance fee of some sort,
“We learned through this process that people care deeply about Olympic National Park, and they care deeply that it be accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of economic status or ability to pay,” acting Superintendent Sue McGill said in a statement.
