'Discriminatory' National Park fee plan slammed by Democrats turns into conservation win, Burgum says

A controversial National Park fee plan criticized by Democrats as discriminatory, which charges foreign visitors $250 annual passes versus $80 for U.S. residents, generated $2 million in 2026 for conservation efforts, according to DOI Secretary Doug Burgum. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff opposed the plan, citing public notice violations and concerns over visitor retention, while the Trump-aligned DOI defended it as 'America First pricing.'