Washington state's three largest national parks - Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic - got a big boost from a generous outdoor lover's estate, which gifted $1 million to the state's National Park Fund.
According to The Olympian, the gift comes from the estate of Bette Wallace, who grew up in Washingon and later lived in California.
“On behalf of (Wallace's) trust it was our family’s honor to make this donation on her behalf to the Washington’s National Park Fund knowing it will be used for many projects including a combination of saving lives and supporting volunteer infrastructure in the parks,” said Cheri Ryan, Wallace’s niece and the estate's trustee, in a statement.
Mount Rainier and Olympic national park plan to use the money for a computer dispatch system, which allows operators to monitor rangers in the wilderness. North Cascades National Park will use the funds to improve infrastructure for volunteers.
“This funding comes at a pivotal time for Washington’s three largest national parks,” said Sarah Creachbaum, Olympic National Park's superintendent. “Our country’s national parks have experienced many financial challenges in recent years and there is a significant maintenance backlog.
The Interior Department has backed down from a plan to impose steep fee increases at popular national parks in the face of widespread opposition from elected officials and the public.
The plan would have nearly triple entrance fees at 17 of the nation's most popular parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone and Zion, forcing visitors to pay $70 per vehicle during the peak summer season.
While plans are still being finalized, a spokeswoman for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke says officials have "taken the public's suggestions seriously and have amended the plan to reflect those" comments.
Spokeswoman Heather Swift said Tuesday that Zinke "remains laser-focused on rebuilding our park infrastructure" and addressing an $11 billion maintenance backlog in the parks.
The Washington Post first reported Interior's reconsideration of the fee hike.
