[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ENTREPRENEURIAL MANAGEMENT REFORM 
                                  ACT

                                 ______


                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 1994

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation at the 
request of the National Park Service to provide expanded authority for 
the collection of entrance and user fees at National Park System units 
and to give greater flexibility to the National Park Service to 
establish partnerships and seek donations from the private sector.
  The National Park Service Entrepreneurial Management Reform Act was 
drafted by the National Park Service. A number of the elements in the 
bill were recommended in the administration's National Performance 
Review. While I do not support several elements of the bill, I 
nevertheless believe it is important for Members to be able to review 
and debate the proposal and for the administration to have the 
opportunity to make its case for the legislation.
  The fee portion of the bill would eliminate the current caps on 
entrance fees and give the Secretary of the Interior the discretion to 
set reasonable entrance, recreation, and special use fees. The current 
practice of charging entrance fees per vehicle would be replaced by a 
per person fee, and current statutory prohibitions on entrance fee 
collection would be eliminated. Fee revenue would be available to pay 
for the costs of collection and 50 percent of any additional receipts 
over the amount collected in fiscal year 1994 would be available for 
use in units of the National Park System without appropriation by 
Congress.
  The bill also contains several entrepreneurial management elements. 
First, it would authorize the Secretary of the Interior and certain 
National Park Service employees to seek donations of money, property, 
and services from foundations, corporations, and other potential 
donors, subject to certain guidelines. Second, it would authorize the 
Secretary to recover restitution on account of damage to park resources 
or property resulting from vandalism or accidental damages. Settlement 
money would go to the National Park Service for park purposes. Third, 
the bill expands the current challenge cost-share program to allow any 
funds appropriated for the operation of the National Park Service to be 
used to carry out challenge cost-share agreement.
  I appreciate the Clinton administration's effort to seek methods of 
increasing revenues to help pay for the preservation of the natural and 
cultural resources of the National Park System. I look forward to 
working with the administration and other Members in reviewing and 
refining this proposal.

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