White Sands National Park Seeks Public Comments on Proposed Amenity Fee Increase

Date:
September 9, 2024
Contact:Brian Powers, 575-479-6124 ext 230

ALAMOGORDO, NM - White Sands National Park, National Park Service proposes changes to amenity fees for enhanced visitor services including, ranger-guided hikes and the addition of an evening program, as part of its commitment to improving the visitor experience.

Proposed changes to the amenity fees would be implemented in Summer 2025.

Proposed fee changes:

Activity	Current Fees Per Person	Proposed Fees Per Person
Moonlight Hike	Adult age 16 and older: $8.00 Youth age 15 and younger: $4.00	Adult age 16 and older: $10.00 Youth age 15 and younger: $5.00
Lake Lucero Tour	Adult age 16 and older: $8.00 Youth age 15 and younger: $4.00	Adult age 16 and older: $10.00 Youth age 15 and younger: $5.00
Starry Night Astronomy Program	None	Adult age 16 and older: $10.00 Youth age 15 and younger: $5.00

The proposed program amenity fee increases are based on comparable fees for similar services at nearby museums and land managing agencies.

Two programs will be offered beyond normal hours of operation, the Moonlight Hike, and the Starry Night Astronomy Program. The proposed amenity fee increases for these programs will provide for visitor and staff safety during the evening programs and while exiting the park.

The Lake Lucero Tour is offered in a remote location of the park. The proposed amenity fee increases will allow the park to provide for improved visitor and staff safety and visitor services.

The Starry Night Astronomy Program is a new program that will provide access to a highly requested resource at the park, the New Mexico night sky, that is currently unavailable to the public. The proposed amenity fee will ensure that the park can provide appropriate staffing and supplies required to offer a safe and positive visitor experience.

The Federal Lands and Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) authorizes the NPS to collect and retain revenue, in the form of entrance and amenity fees, and requires these funds to be used to enhance visitor experiences. Eighty percent (80%) of the fees collected at White Sands will remain at the park to fund projects that will allow the park to continue to provide a top-quality visitor experience and for visitor and staff safety and make site improvements for these amenities. The remaining twenty percent (20%) will be utilized agency wide.

The park invites and is accepting public comments from September 9, 2024, through October 24, 2024. Public scoping is a federal legal requirement that invites the public, local governments, and stakeholders in local communities to present comments to the National Park Service.

Your comments may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/WHSA_InterpTours. Written comments submitted by U.S. mail can be sent to Superintendent, White Sands National Park, PO Box 1086 Holloman AFB, NM 88330.

White Sands National Park wants to hear from you and values your input on the proposed amenity fee increases. The public feedback the park receives will be considered and help inform the decision to implement the fee changes.

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