NEWS RELEASE u.s. department of the interior national park service FACTS ABOUT ACADIA'S ENTRANCE FEES From about May 1 to November 1, Acadia National Park will be charging an entrance fee. The following answer often-asked questions about the fee program. 1. Why was the entrance fee established? 2. How will Acadia National Park use the fees collected? 3. Where will the fee station be located and why? 4. How much will Park entry cost? 5. Why do local residents have to pay? 6. Where can I pick up my pass? WHY WAS THE ENTRANCE FEE ESTABLISHED? Like other agencies of the Federal Government, the National Park Service has faced serious budget reductions. In the last two years, for example, Acadia's budget has declined 16% Acadia's budget problems were not unique, and Park Service officials in Washington recognized that continued budget cuts would threaten Park resources and visitor services. Therefore, National Park Service officials proposed that by expanding the Park Service's fee collection program, Congress would be able to increase Park appropriations. Congress approved the idea and sixty-one National Park Service areas that collected fees in past years will charge more this year. In addition, seventy- three other Park areas (including Acadia) that have never charged entrance fees before, will be collecting this year. HOW WILL ACADIA NATIONAL PARK USE THE FEES COLLECTED? The income from the fees collected allows us to respond to a number of Park visitor and resource protection needs that would not be possible within the Park's current budget. With the funds advanced by Congress to the Park, in anticipation of the fees we will be collecting this summer, the Park is: 1. Purchasing a specialized piece of road maintenance equipment which is designed to compact and smooth the carriage roads, preventing erosion and providing a level surface for hikers, joggers, bikers, and horseback riders. 2. Printing an additional 300,000 Park maps and 90,000 Park newspapers for free distribution at the fee station. 3. Organizing and cataloguing historic documents at the Islesford Museum. 4. Replacing deteriorated historic doors and windows at the Islesford Museum. 5. Hiring a seasonal ranger to document the spread of non-native plants in wetlands and test control methods for these plants. (more) madia National Park P.O. Box 177 Bar Harbor Maine 04609 EWS RELEASE u.s. department of the interior national park service 2 - WHERE WILL THE FEE STATION BE LOCATED AND WHY? The entrance fee station will be located 0.4 miles north of Sand Beach on the Park Loop Road. Many location options were considered, but the final location was chosen for several practical reasons. First, most Park visitors will pass this location at least once during their stay; secondly, the Loop Road is a two-lane, one-way road at this location and requires the least construction to begin fee collecting; and, finally, this location should have little or no impact on local traffic patterns. The entrance station location allows visitors to use most of the Park without paying a fee. There are 124 parking areas in Acadia; only 7 of those parking areas will require passing the fee station. Major visitor attractions, including Cadillac Mountain summit, Jordan Pond House, the west side of Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle au Haut, remain unaffected by the entrance fee. HOW MUCH WILL PARK ENTRY COST? There are five different entrance fee passes: Acadia weekly pass: This pass costs $5.00 per private automobile or $2.00 per motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, or tour bus passenger. The fee covers a seven-day stay in the Park. Children twelve and under do not have to pay. Acadia Annual Pass: If you visit Acadia frequently, consider purchasing this $15.00 annual pass. It offers unlimited entry to Acadia at no additional charge for everyone in your car. When you purchase the $15.00 pass, you will receive one wallet-sized card. If a car window sticker will be more convenient for you, bring your annual pass card to Park Headquarters, along with registration papers for each car in your house- hold that needs a window decal. The Headquarters' staff can provide you with up to three window decals per household. Golden Eagle Pass: If you plan to visit a number of national parks this year, you may prefer to purchase this $25.00 annual pass. It offers you unlimited entry to all national parks, monuments, and recreation areas, at no additional charge. Golden Age Pass: If you are 62 years old or older, this FREE, lifetime pass offers unlimited free entry and half-price camping in all Federal fee collection areas. Everyone in the vehicle with the Golden Age Passport holder will be given free entry. Golden Access Pass: If you are handicapped, this FREE pass covers the same benefits as the Golden Age Pass. (more) Acadia National Park P.O.Bnx177 Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 NEWS RELEASE u.s. department of the interior national park service - 3 - WHY DO LOCAL RESIDENTS HAVE TO PAY? There is no question that funds to support Acadia National Park come from Federal taxes paid by all Americans. However, the Congress has also sought to have those who in fact visit and enjoy the parks pay some of the costs of their operations. It is hoped that knowing a significant portion of the funds collected will be used to enhance operations right here in Acadia will help make paying the fee more acceptable to those who are frequent users of Acadia National Park. WHERE CAN I PICK UP MY PASS? During April, the Park staff plans to distribute free and annual passes at shopping centers in the area. If you plan to purchase a pass, please bring cash; the Park cannot accept personal checks. If you are interested in receiving a pass, or if you have questions or comments, plan to meet Park Rangers at one of the following locations: Saturday, April 4 Pine Tree Market, Northeast Harbor 9AM - 1PM Saturday, April 11 Don's Shop 'N Save, Bar Harbor 9AM - 3PM Saturday, April 18 Doug's Shop 'N Save, Ellsworth 9AM - 3PM Saturday, April 25 Don's Shop 'N Save, Bar Harbor 9AM - 3PM In addition, a Park Naturalist will visit senior citizen homes in the area, presenting a slide program called "Beaver Tales" and distributing Golden Age passports. The schedule follows: Wednesday, April 8 Malvern-Belmont Estates, Bar Harbor 11:30AM Lunch (for members of Bar Harbor Senior Citizens Club only) 12:00 Noon Presentation of "Beaver Tales" 12:45PM Issuing of Golden Age Passports Wednesday, April 15 Ridge Apartments, Southwest Harbor 11:30AM Lunch (Bring your own) 12:00 Noon Presentation of "Beaver Tales" 12:45PM Issuing of Golden Age Passports Monday, April 20 Meadowview Apartments, Ellsworth 1:30PM Presentation of "Beaver Tales" 2:15PM Issuing of Golden Age Passports Beginning April 1, free and annual passes will be available at Park Headquarters, open weekdays, 8 AM - 4:30 PM. Remember, please bring cash for annual passes; the Park cannot accept personal checks. When the entrance station opens in early May, you can also pick up the passes at the fee station. - 30 - Prepared 4/1/87 Acadia Nationali Park P.O. Box 177 Bar Harbor, Maine 04609