The conference room at the new Resource Management and Science building at Lind Point was packed Wednesday night as residents gathered to discuss proposed fee increases released earlier in the week with Virgin Islands National Park (VINP) officials.
Many attendees expressed surprise at the short notice and concern over the steep increases, particularly those impacting boaters and charter companies.
Park officials clarified that the proposed fees are provisional and would not take effect until January 2025. Among the changes, fees would be introduced for:
- Use of the finger pier in Cruz Bay Creek
- Use of the nearby boat ramp
- Daytime use of mooring balls
- Parking at Caneel Bay
Additionally, fees for entering Trunk Bay and using mooring balls at any time throughout the park would be increased. (A complete list of proposed fees is provided below.)
Members of the public have until midnight on Oct. 9, 2024 to submit feedback on the proposed fees. Comments can be sent via the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site or mailed to the Virgin Islands National Park Fee Program, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI 00830.
“The park has not raised amenity fees since 2015,” said Superintendent Penny Del Bene. “These increases are necessary to maintain and improve visitor services.”
VINP’s annual federal budget has seen minimal growth over the last two decades, said Deputy Superintendent Scott Simmons. In 2000, the park’s budget was $5.2 million; today, it stands at $5.5 million, which Simmons pointed out has not been adjusted for inflation.
Del Bene explained that fees are vital to offsetting the rising costs of park maintenance and operations. Eighty percent of collected fees stay within the park for local projects, while the remaining 20 percent supports other initiatives within the National Park Service system.
While some attendees acknowledged the need for additional funding, many opposed the magnitude of the increases. Charter boat captain Sara Richter of Blue Water Charters estimated the new fees could cost small commercial vessels over $10,000 annually.
Richter noted that most charter boats in the St. John fleet are 26 to 32 feet long. Under the proposed changes, a 30-foot boat would pay $30 to pick up guests at the finger pier and $40 for a mooring ball, a $70 daily increase. Based on 150 trips per year, she estimated a $10,500 annual increase in fees per boat.
Charter companies also face higher licensing fees under new guidelines for small businesses operating in the park, including tour operators and event coordinators. The cost of a Commercial Use Authorization will rise from $300 to $350, with business owners also required to pay a percentage of their gross receipts.
Meeting attendees also objected to the discontinuation of family passes, which had included discounts to residents. Del Bene said that under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, special rates for residents or families are no longer permitted. Now, anyone aged 10 or older will need to purchase a $5 day pass or $60 annual pass to use Trunk Bay.
Caneel Bay, which reopened in August, currently does not charge admission, but the park is proposing a $10 daily parking fee.
Attendees expressed frustration with the short notice about the fee increases, which were made public only two days before the meeting. “I know a ton of people who would have come if they had known,” said charter captain Garth Hudson.
Park officials explained that the press release for the meeting, which is part of a series held on the second Wednesday of each month, was sent out on Sept. 4. The release detailing the proposed fees followed on Sept. 9.
St. John resident Kurt Marsh pointed out that while it’s fair to ask visitors to contribute to the park, the larger issue of honoring the legacies of ancestral St. Johnians was being ignored.
Del Bene agreed that more efforts are needed to preserve the ruins and honor the cultural heritage of the island, which is why additional revenue is essential.
The public is encouraged to submit suggestions for revising the proposed fees, and park officials will consider the recommendations closely.
Proposed Fee Increases and New Fee Schedule:
Trunk Bay Expanded Amenity Fees
- Individual Day Pass: Current $5 → Proposed $10
- Interagency Senior Pass: Current $2.50 → Proposed $5
- Interagency Access Pass: Current $2.50 → Proposed $5
- Individual Annual Pass: Current $0 → Proposed $60
(Day or Annual Passes required for individuals 10 years or older; currently required for those 15 and older)
Parkwide Mooring Fees:
- Standard Vessels (≤60 ft): Current $26 → Proposed $40
- Large Vessels (>60 ft): Current $26 → Proposed $60
- Interagency Senior Pass Mooring (Standard Vessels): Current $13 → Proposed $20
- Interagency Senior Pass Mooring (Large Vessels): Current $13 → Proposed $30
- Interagency Access Pass Mooring (Standard Vessels): Current $13 → Proposed $20
- Interagency Access Pass Mooring (Large Vessels): Current $13 → Proposed $30
(Mooring fees will be required 24/7; valid for 24 hours. Currently, fees apply only to overnight stays)
New Expanded Amenity Fees:
- Caneel Bay Parking: $10/day
- National Park Service Finger Pier: $1/foot of vessel/day
- National Park Service Bulkhead/Dinghy: $5/day or $150/year
- National Park Service Boat Launch: $10/launch or $100/year
