[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. ____________________