Letter Emily Douce Oct 16, 2018

NPCA Letter on National Capital Region Fees for Demonstrations

NPCA Letter on National Capital Region Fees for Demonstrations (84.9 KB)

The National Park Service has proposed a variety of changes for special events and demonstrations in and around Washington, D.C., such as modifying and establishing restricted areas at memorials, establishing a maximum permit length of 30 days, and expanding the number of areas where a permit isn’t necessary for demonstrations. The most controversial change is floating the idea of recovering some of the costs for demonstrated events.

NPCA understands the financial impact special events and demonstrations have on public areas in the park sites in and around Washington, D.C. However, NPCA does not support recovering costs for demonstrations (they currently recover costs for special events) as it could impede people’s access to assemble and use their First Amendment rights. Rather than placing the financial burden directly on the public using these places for demonstrations, the administration must ask Congress to increase annual appropriations and specifically request an allocation from Congress to directly recover the costs of staffing and restoring areas following demonstrations.

To read the full letter, please click the green button above.

About the author

  • Emily Douce Deputy Vice President, Government Affairs

    As the Deputy Vice President for Government Affairs, Emily Douce helps manage the department and advocates for additional funding for national parks, both through appropriations and supplementary sources.

Read more from NPCA

  • Blog Post

    5 Reasons the Rim of the Valley Should Be Protected

    May 2024 | By Alana Garibaldi

    National Parks Conservation Association and Nature Valley are working together to protect places in nature for everyone to enjoy – including land that comprises the Rim of the Valley in…

  • Blog Post

    Preserving Chinatowns: How Many Are at Risk of Being Lost?

    May 2024 | By Linda Coutant

    The National Park Service has said Asian American and Pacific Islander history is “dramatically underrepresented” among registered landmarks and historic places. NPCA and other groups are seeking to correct that.

  • Blog Post

    Clearing the Air in the Smokies

    May 2024 | By Kelsey Barnett-Fischels

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park is starting to win its decades-long fight against dangerous haze, adding hope to the park’s horizon.