Overview

• The July 3 executive order imposes new surcharges on entrance and America the Beautiful pass fees for non-U.S. visitors, aiming to generate roughly $90 million annually for upkeep.
• It revokes the Obama-era 2017 diversity, equity and inclusion memorandum that guided public-lands workforce diversity and accessibility initiatives.
• Only 106 of the National Park Service’s 475 sites currently charge entry fees, and specific surcharge levels and implementation timelines remain under development.
• Revenue from the nonresident fees is earmarked for infrastructure repairs and enhancements at national parks and other federal recreation areas.
• The fee strategy comes alongside a proposed $1.2 billion cut to the National Park Service budget, intensifying concerns over long-term maintenance backlogs.