Rabid Cougar said:

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Active duty has had free entry to all federal recreation areas for several years. (America the Beautiful - Military Pass)

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Yes, but not veterans. Hence this change and this thread.

Nice, but our national parks and other recreational areas depend on user fees to help them operate.

If we're now giving free entry to the ~20M living vets (like me) and their families, it will impact how well our parks are maintained for everyone.

We've had free park entry for active duty and disabled vets for a long time, so the timing of this feels like election pandering to me.

It probably is.

I'd still argue that the amount of revenue lost due to veterans being provided free entrance to the parks will not constitute a significant loss to the parks.
Total entrance fee for all parks totaled $199million. Their 2020 budget request is $2.7billion.
Losing my $30 isn't even a drop in the bucket.

Naveronski said:

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It probably is.

I'd still argue that the amount of revenue lost due to veterans being provided free entrance to the parks will not constitute a significant loss to the parks.
Total entrance fee for all parks totaled $199million. Their 2020 budget request is $2.7billion.
Losing my $30 isn't even a drop in the bucket.

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All entrance fees in the NPS go directly to the parks to which they are paid. It really does impact the parks you enjoy to visit. Specially the smaller parks that don't have the massive visitation of the Crown Jewels.

Most veterans are already eligible for either Senior or Disability discounts (no restrictions on % of disability).

You are factually incorrect, but okay.

You are against veterans (a very, very small % of the population) receiving free entry to national parks. Weird hill to die on, but okay bro.

Trump has been cancer to the military, but this but if pandering is appreciated

Naveronski said:

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You are factually incorrect, but okay.

You are against veterans (a very, very small % of the population) receiving free entry to national parks. Weird hill to die on, but okay bro.

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Where am I factually incorrect?

No am I not against veterans? 35 years with USACE. It's my job to make sure veterans (both senior and disabled - no minimum %) receive the benefits that they have earned of which 74OA is a beneficiary.

74OA said:

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Nice, but our national parks and other recreational areas depend on user fees to help them operate.

If we're now giving free entry to the ~20M living vets (like me) and their families, it will impact how well our parks are maintained for everyone.

We've had free park entry for active duty and disabled vets for a long time, so the timing of this feels like election pandering to me.

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You're free to continue paying. In fact I bet they would even accept more of your money beyond the pass fee.

Simple solution.

If you think it's wrong, don't ask for it, simply pay the full fee.

Or use the free admission and donate to an organization like

https://www.nationalparks.org/