Park the Impudence, Baby

Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel is correct: A reasonable increase in National Park entrance fees is overdue. But it is impudent of him to tell Congress that if it does not produce the fee schedule that he wants, it’s just too bad about what will happen to the parks as a result. As Hodel put it during an interview with the staff of The Times’ Washington bureau: “My answer is, don’t blame me, baby. We offered you a solution, and you wouldn’t act.”

Hodel has demonstrated at times in the past that he can be a reasonable fellow. He has a statutory responsibility to protect the National Park System. It is not likely that the parks will be allowed to deteriorate further in a petty quarrel with Congress over the source of Park Service funds.

The fact is that Congress has been reluctant to raise park entrance fees that have remained static for nearly 15 years. The Administration’s proposed increase would produce an estimated $59 million, which Hodel would use to hire additional personnel to handle the increased visitor load. But the parks also need more money for the protection of natural resources, research and land acquisition. If Congress should decide to use funds other than increased fees to finance any or all such activities, the Administration should accept that decision without pouting.

The National Park Service budget has been shortchanged for years. There is plenty of blame to go around, including some for Congress and for both the Carter and Reagan administrations. The Park Service budget accounts for less than 1/1,000th of federal spending, yet the parks provide people with a rare experience: a government service that produces pure pleasure and awe. We can afford it, baby.