Pallone Calls for Public Hearing on Proposed Fee Increases for Sandy Hook

'This is not the time to raise fees on families that are already struggling...' Pallone Says In Letter to the National Park Service

Long Branch - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. sent the below correspondence expressing his strong opposition to the fee increases proposed by the National Park Service for beach goers who use Sandy Hook and calling for a public hearing before the Park Service moves ahead with any increase:


August 22, 2011

Director Jon Jarvis
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240

Dear Director Jarvis:

I am writing to express my concerns with the proposed changes to the fee collection program at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Park. I am strongly opposed to the fee increases and believe that the National Park Service should reconsider its proposal. I further urge you to ensure that a public hearing is held on this proposal before any action is taken and as soon as possible.

At this time, Gateway National Recreation Area is proposing to increase the fee imposed on individuals and families accessing the beaches at Sandy Hook by 100 percent. This is not the time to raise fees on families that are already struggling to deal with the economic turmoil created by a recession. Families across the nation are cutting back where ever they can and to ask them to bear the burden of a 100 percent fee increase is not an acceptable way forward.

The increase will greatly affect my constituents but also the local economy. Families come from all across New Jersey and the surrounding states to visit the state's beaches and Sandy Hook has traditionally been a favorite destination. Tourism is New Jersey's top industry and the government should be encouraging more visitors to come to the area, not implementing new fees that will run counter to the National Park Service's goal of providing affordable access to public beaches.

I have long been an advocate for keeping the beaches and other facilities at Sandy Hook clean, safe and accessible for all. Increasing the fees imposed on visitors and extending the time until which the park charges a fee from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M takes away an invaluable experience from many. Their time at the beach and in a national park, even if for just a few hours at the end of a day, is treasured time and time that should not be subject to excessive costs.

I reiterate my call on the National Park Service and Gateway National Recreation Area to reconsider this misguided fee increase. I further strongly request that a public hearing is held before any action is taken to further consider or implement these new fees.

Thank you for considering this letter.

Sincerely,
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress

Cc: Linda Canzanelli, Superintendent, Gateway National Recreation Area