White Mountain National Forest proposes fee increase

Early on the fees may have been "extra funds" that actually were spent on local projects, After few years the federal budget process leveled out those extra funds so there is really no extra funds as the parking fees revenue is now incorporated in the budget. If it goes away there is no offsetting funding so the WMNF is now dependent on it. Bump up the fees this year and there will be short term bump in funds into the local WMNF budget but give it year or two and that extra money will also be absorbed.