Virginia Cramer, 804-519-8449, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org
In an interview with NPR’s 1A today, Deputy Interior Secretary David Bernhardt defended a proposal by Interior Secretary Zinke to raise entry fees at some national parks by as much as 200%, saying the cost is on par with what it costs his family to see a 3-D movie.
"It costs me about $68 and 90 cents for the two kids and my wife and I to go see a movie," Bernhardt said, as noted in Greenwire.
Bernhardt missed a critical memo. Box office revenues have been plummeting over the years. Despite improvements in technology, including the resurgence of 3D, more than half of all Americans are staying home because ticket prices are too high, according to analysts.
In response, Jackie Ostfeld, associate director of Sierra Club’s Outdoors campaign had this to say:
“Deputy Secretary Bernhardt is clearly out of touch with middle class Americans. If Trump’s Interior Department has its way, the only chance many people might get to experience nature is through the movies-- or more likely a PBS special. The beauty of our national parks is that they were created to be shared by us all, not run by the elite as part of a multi-billion dollar profit making industry. We can’t afford to let families be priced out. Secretary Zinke should withdraw his proposal to raise park admissions and put the public back in public lands.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.