Pallone Voices Opposition to Sandy Hook Fee Increase at National Park Service Open House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2016


Long Branch, NJ – Last night, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) attended an open house held by the National Park Service (NPS) and voiced opposition to a proposal to increase camping and parking fees at Sandy Hook. The open house was announced after Pallone wrote NPS Director Jonathan B. Jarvis requesting that NPS hold a public hearing on the fee increases and provide information on the fee differences between Sandy Hook and other parks. Public engagement events were also held on August 12 and August 20.

“I am opposed to the proposed fee increase, which would dramatically increase the fees from 2011 levels, at which time it cost $10 to park a car at Sandy Hook,” said Pallone. “The currently proposed increase would be an additional financial burden to the individuals and families who enjoy visiting Sandy Hook, and could potentially damage the local economy, which relies in part on tourism. We should be looking at ways to encourage more visitors to the parks, in turn helping the surrounding economies. This proposal to yet again increase park fees moves us in the opposite direction, and should be withdrawn.”

In his letter to Director Jarvis, Congressman Pallone also requested a meeting with NPS to learn how the revenues from the increased fees will be used, and if these new revenues would be used exclusively to maintain and improve facilities at Sandy Hook. For most vehicles, beach parking is currently $15 per day or $75 per season. For oversized vehicles (more than 20 feet), the charge is $30 per day or $150 per season. The new proposal would place fees at $20 per day and $100 per season, with $50 per day and $200 a season for oversized cars. This would mark the second fee increase at the park in five years.

In 2012, Pallone successfully fought efforts to increase parking fees per vehicle from $10 to $20, and a season pass increase from $50 to $100. NPS compromised and cut the proposed fees by half, which is what the parking fees are today.

Text of Congressman Pallone’s Statement at the open house can be found below:

Statement of Representative Frank Pallone (NJ-06)

on the Proposed Fee Increases at Sandy Hook

August 31, 2016

I want to thank the National Parks Service (NPS) for holding this public hearing on the proposed rate increases at Sandy Hook. It is extremely important that New Jersey residents and others who enjoy visiting Sandy Hook have the opportunity to offer their views on this proposed increase. Allowing interested individuals and families to voice their concerns here, and at the other two public engagement sessions held earlier this summer, are important steps towards ensuring public input is considered.

I am opposed to the proposed fee increase, which would dramatically increase the fees from 2011 levels, at which time it cost $10 to park a car at Sandy Hook. The currently proposed increase would be an additional financial burden to the individuals and families who enjoy visiting Sandy Hook, and could potentially damage the local economy, which relies in part on tourism. We should be looking at ways to encourage more visitors to the parks, in turn helping the surrounding economies. This proposal to yet again increase park fees moves us in the opposite direction, and should be withdrawn.

In addition to requesting that NPS engage with the public on the fee proposal, I have also requested that NPS provide me with statistical data related to Sandy Hook, specifically visitor counts and revenue data, and that NPS explain how the revenues from the fee increases would be used, and if those revenues would be used in Sandy Hook. I look forward to NPS providing me that information soon and to meeting with NPS leadership next month.

Again, I thank NPS for holding these sessions, and I hope that we can all work together to ensure that Sandy Hook remains an affordable and accessible to working families.

National Park Service to hold Public Engagement Events on Sandy Hook Rate Increases at Pallone’s Request

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2016


Continues to Urge NPS to Withdraw Proposal on Fees and Provide Additional Information

Long Branch, NJ –The National Park Service (NPS) announced that it will be holding public engagement events on August 12 and August 20 for its proposal to increase Sandy Hook’s camping and parking fees. There will also an open house to discuss the proposal on August 31. The announcement comes after Pallone wrote NPS Director Jonathan B. Jarvis requesting that NPS hold a public hearing on the fee increases and provide information on the fee differences between Sandy Hook and other parks. Pallone also requested a meeting with NPS to learn how the revenues from the increased fees will be used, and if these new revenues would be used exclusively to maintain and improve facilities at Sandy Hook. NPS has not yet responded with additional information.

“It is crucial that New Jersey residents and those who pay the fees as Sandy Hook receive the opportunity to comment on these rate increases and this is a positive first step,” said Pallone. “Still, I remain greatly concerned about the rate proposal and am awaiting additional information on NPS’ proposal. We should be looking at ways to encourage more visitors to the parks, helping the surrounding economies. This proposal to yet again increase park fees moves us in the opposite direction.”

The public can offer its opinions at Gunnison Beach’s parking plaza on Friday, August 12 from 11am to 2pm and at Lot D’s parking plaza on Saturday, August 20 from 11am to 2pm. The open house will be held on August 31 from 6pm to 8 pm at the Sandy Hook Chapel.

For most vehicles, beach parking is currently $15 per day or $75 per season. For oversized vehicles (more than 20 feet), the charge is $30 per day or $150 per season. The new proposal would place fees at $20 per day and $100 per season, with $50 per day and $200 a season for oversized cars. This would mark the second fee increase at the park in five years.

In 2012, Pallone successfully fought efforts to increase parking fees per vehicle from $10 to $20, and a season pass increase from $50 to $100. NPS compromised and cut the proposed fees by half, which is what the parking fees are today.

The text of Pallone’s letter to NPS is below:


August 2, 2016

Director Jonathan P. Jarvis
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240

Dear Director Jarvis:

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed increases to the parking and camping fees at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) should abandon this proposal, which would be the second fee increase in just five years.

Currently, NPS is proposing to increase the parking and camping fees on vehicles accessing Sandy Hook in 2017. This would be a dramatic increase from what fees were in 2011, when it cost $10 a day to park a car at Sandy Hook. This increase would cause additional financial burden to the many individuals and families who visit the park for recreational purposes, and has the potential to negatively impact the local economy. We should be looking at ways to encourage more visitors to the parks, helping the surrounding economies. This proposal to yet again increase park fees moves us in the opposite direction.

Ensuring affordable access for the public to Sandy Hook has been important to me throughout my time in Congress. I have repeatedly called upon NPS to avoid fee increases, and have worked to forgo or reduce these increases in the past. However, I find myself again having to appeal to the NPS to withdraw this latest proposed increase. In order for the NPS to fully understand the impact these fee increases would have on the visitors to Sandy Hook, I call upon the NPS to have a public hearing to hear directly from local residents, officials, and visitors to Sandy Hook. I would also request that the NPS provide to me statistical information related to Sandy Hook – specifically visitor counts and revenue information from prior to the last fee increase through the most recent data available. In addition, I request a meeting with NPS representatives who can provide an explanation of the proposed use of the increased fees, and if the fee money collected at Sandy Hook is dedicated specifically to Sandy Hook, or if any is diverted to other parks within Gateway National Recreation Area, or other NPS parks.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this letter, and I look forward to working with you and your staff on this matter.

Pallone Urges National Park Service to Abandon Proposal to Increase Fees at Sandy Hook

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2016


Long Branch, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement in response to the National Park Service (NPS) proposal to increase Sandy Hook’s camping and parking fees starting next year. Pallone is also writing National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis to urge the NPS to withdraw its proposal.

For most vehicles, beach parking is currently $15 per day or $75 per season. For oversized vehicles (more than 20 feet), the charge is $30 per day or $150 per season. The new proposal would place fees at $20 per day and $100 per season, with $50 per day and $200 a season for oversized cars. This would mark the second fee increase at the park in five years.

In 2012, Pallone successfully fought efforts to increase parking fees per vehicle from $10 to $20, and a season pass increase from $50 to $100. NPS compromised and cut the proposed fees by half, which is what the parking fees are today.

“I am requesting that the National Park Service and Gateway National Recreation Area withdraw its proposal to increase fees,” said Pallone. “I believe the park service can find a way forward that doesn't place the burden on New Jersey families and which keeps access to one of our state’s most prized assets affordable to everyone.”

“Sandy Hook is a treasure along the New Jersey shore that should remain affordable for anyone who wants to visit, regardless of his or her economic situation. I want to see the park continue to encourage tourism, create recreational opportunities and serve as an economic driver for the local economy. My concern is that these proposed fee increases will make it less likely that many in our community will be able to enjoy all Sandy Hook has to offer.”

March 2, 2015 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

At this past Monday night's meeting of the  of the Middletown Township Committee, a member of the National Parks Service gave a presentation on redevelopment work being done on Fort Hancock  at Gateway National Park located out on Sandy Hook. The presentation and Q&A that followed lasted about 20 minutes and is well worth watching.

A public hearing on Ordinance 2015-3126 that would renew the contract with Comcast cable company was conducted. A number of questions were asked regarding the new contract, specifically how the Township planned to utilize a $125k grant that Comcast will provide.

There was also a discussion concerning whether or not the Township should purchase its own hydro-rake to clear vegetation from Shadow Lake (39:20).

Committee Comments (45:23) and Public Comments (46:39)




As always, you can download a copy of the Meeting Agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting. A box around an item is a link, bringing you further into the document to that resolution or ordinance. At the end of the resolution there will be a link bringing you back to the agenda. Attached to this agenda is also the monthly bill list, so that everyone can see how the Township is spending our tax dollars.

Pallone Statement on Proposed Sandy Hook Fee Increase

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. National Park Service’s proposal to increase Sandy Hook’s camping and parking fees:

“Sandy Hook is a treasure along the New Jersey shore that should remain affordable for anyone who wants to visit, regardless of his or her economic situation. I want to see the park continue to encourage tourism, create recreational opportunities and serve as an economic driver for the local economy.

“I have always been an advocate for the preservation and upkeep of Sandy Hook and will continue to be, but I do not support asking hardworking New Jersey families to fork over more money in order to spend time together at one of our nation’s national parks.

“It was just two years ago that the National Park Service increased fees at Sandy Hook by fifty percent and there was significant opposition at that time. I am requesting that the National Park Service schedule a public hearing on the issue at Sandy Hook so that the local community and all interested parties can have their voices heard. I encourage everyone to make their feelings on this matter known to the National Park Service.”

The Gateway National Recreation Area is seeking public comment on the proposed fee increase. To do so, send an email to Fee_increase@nps.gov or send a letter to the Office of the Superintendent, Gateway National Recreation Area, ATTN: proposed parking and camping fee increase, 210 New York Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305.

Pallone Questions White House on Sandy Hook Fees, Elimination of Beach Grants and Superfund Cleanup Dollars

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) questioned some of President Obama’s budget priorities at two House hearings today.  At the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, Congressman Pallone expressed his concern over cuts to programs responsible for monitoring coastal water health and Superfund site cleanup.  Later in the day, the Congressman decried proposed increases to user fees at Sandy Hook, NJ at a hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.

Congressman Pallone expressed his concern that the President’s budget proposed the elimination of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH) Grants, which is a program that was authored by Pallone to monitor coastal water quality nationwide. Pallone reintroduced a bill to reauthorize the BEACH Grant program called the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act of 2011. Without federal funding, cash-strapped states may choose to stop monitoring their beaches and notifying the public when waters are unsafe for swimming.

“EPA’s BEACH Grants have greatly expanded the number of beaches tested nationwide and are critical to keeping swimmers out of contaminated waters,” said Pallone. “I am concerned that New Jersey tourism will be at a disadvantage if we continue to test our coastal waters but other states do not monitor and inform the public when beaches are too contaminated for swimming,”

Pallone was also critical of cuts made to EPA programs to clean up Superfund sites.  New Jersey has the most superfund toxic sites in the nation and Middlesex County, which falls in the sixth district, has the most in the state. On February 16, 2012, Pallone sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson asking why 27 of New Jersey’s known toxic areas were left off the EPA’s list of Superfund sites.  Pallone introduced the Superfund Polluter Pays Act that would fund toxic waste clean-up by reinstating taxes on oil and chemical companies that frequently create these sites. In the EPA Budget Hearing Administrator Jackson shared her support for this bill, agreeing that it would enable the EPA to cleanup these sites faster and create jobs.

“While I realize that these are tough economic times, the stakes are too high to cut back on our commitment to cleaning up toxic waste sites that can impact our health and environment,” said Congressman Pallone.  “I urge my colleagues in Congress to support my bill, the Superfund Polluter Pays Act, so we can shift the burden of paying for toxic cleanup away from taxpayers and onto the polluters responsible for the messes they left behind in the first place.”

Congressman Pallone also voiced his opposition to a proposed fee hike to visitors to Sandy Hook in New Jersey.  The National Park Service has proposed a nearly 100% increase in fees for vehicles going through the beach. 

“With gas prices on the rise, visitors to Sandy Hook do not deserve to get hit with the kind of hike currently being proposed,” said Congressman Pallone.  “This jump in fees at Sandy Hook will put the cost of visiting the beach out of reach for many families when they are already struggling in these difficult economic times.  That simply cannot happen.”