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

    Thanking Park Staff this Earth Month

    Apr 2026 | By Alana Garibaldi

    NPCA collected more than 750 messages of gratitude for park staff and shared them at park events across the country — and it’s not too late to leave your own…

  • Policy Update

    Position on H.R. 1897, ESA Amendments Act

    Apr 2026

    NPCA submitted the following position to members of the House of Representatives ahead of a expected floor vote the week of April 20, 2026.

  • Policy Update

    Position on H.R. 4290 & H.R. 7618

    Apr 2026

    NPCA submitted the following positions to members of the House Committee on Natural Resources ahead of a markup scheduled for April 21, 2026.