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

    June 8 Is World Ocean Day

    Jun 2023 | By Sarah Gaines Barmeyer

    NPCA is working to ensure coastal national parks are part of the climate solution. The more we protect national park waters from climate impacts now, the more they will protect…

  • Blog Post

    Civil War-Era Cemetery and Hospital Found Under Water

    Jun 2023 | By Karuna Eberl

    A small, long-submerged island is revealing Civil War mysteries in Dry Tortugas National Park. The National Park Service is conducting an in-depth survey to learn more. 

  • Press Release

    Victory: Biden Administration Protects Chaco Canyon Cultural Landscape

    Jun 2023

    "We are grateful for today’s action, which is the latest move by the Biden administration that prioritizes preserving, instead of industrializing, Indigenous lands," -- NPCA CEO Theresa Pierno