Public lands are part of the public trust. Our taxes rightfully should pay for their care and maintenance. We don't want to pay twice. Charging fees will discourage use. Our State Parks mission is fostering outdoor recreation and education to provide enjoyment and enrichment.
Fees unnecessarily force users to make recreation choices based on cost of participation.
Charging fees will not lower your taxes. A 1997 status report to the Washington Legislature showed that State Parks had generated significant new revenue, but it simply supplanted general tax funds instead of addressing park system deficiencies. We believe it is an appropriate use of general funds to provide for the preservation of the natural heritage of the State. We believe changes in user fees will lead to continued underfunding of public lands by simply exchanging fees for general funds, perpetuating the woefully inadequate funding level. Charging fees discriminates unnecessarily against lower income families.