Advocates for national parks have been ecstatic about the vacation choice, and they're using it as a vehicle for making a point: Paying money to protect land in new parks is way sexier than paying to maintain all the great parks past politicians have protected. "There is an approximate $600-million annual operating shortfall and a backlog of maintenance projects that exceeds $8 billion, and more than $2 billion of private land to be acquired within park boundaries," said Ron Tipton, senior vice president for policy at the National Parks Conservation Association. "We must ensure our national parks are well funded to address the parks' crumbling historic buildings and trails, enhance the Park Service's ability to protect wildlife, and provide needed public education and services."
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/national-parks-no-fee-47081102