Court rules against parking fees in national park
People who hike and camp in undeveloped areas of a southern Arizona forest cannot be charged a parking fee. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that federal law prohibits the fees. KJZZ’s Al Macias reports.
The U.S. Forest Service has been collecting fees from all drivers who park their vehicles along part the 28–mile Catalina Highway. That is the only paved road to the summit of Mount Lemmon in the Coronado National Forest near Tucson.
The Appellate court ruled the Forest Service cannot charge hikers and campers for parking along the road if they are only hiking or picnicking and not using any of the park facilities.
The Forest Service has used fees to replace restrooms, install signs, and to build and maintain trails and facilities
The Service says it can’t comment on the possible impact until its attorneys have reviewed the decision.
