RVIA expressed support for the National Park Service’s (NPS) Visitor Experience Improvement Authority (VEIA) in a comment letter submitted by Jay Landers, RVIA’s vice president, government affairs.
NPS is proposing, under its VEIA authority, to issue a commercial services contract only if the Interior Department secretary “determines the contract would expand, modernize and improve the condition of commercial visitor facilities and the services provided to visitors.”
RVIA said it supports partnerships between experienced campground operators and the federal government, where appropriate, as the partnerships recognize private industry expertise can augment public investment and strengthen infrastructure project management.
However, RVIA stressed it does not support privatizing or selling federal campgrounds.
“When partnerships between private industry, such as experienced campground operators, and the federal government are discussed, there can be confusion about whether this model would lead to the ‘privatization’ of federal lands. These partnerships are not privatization—the RV Industry Association does not support the privatization or selling of federal campgrounds,” Landers wrote. “What these partnerships do allow is for campground improvements and modernization to be made with private industry expertise, investment and volunteer services—without draining federal resources that are thin or not available.”
Among the ways federal campgrounds could be improved, RVIA, was by:
- Updating bathing facilities with hot showers, sinks, and flush toilets;
- Providing WiFi access throughout campsites;
- Outfitting campsites with site-specific hookups, including new EV hookups, electrical service, modern dump stations and water and sewer.
- Developing wider, longer campsites to accommodate modern RVs;
- Developing more campgrounds and RV-accessible campsites; and
- Addressing the nearly $20 billion deferred maintenance across federal lands and waterways.
“RVIA appreciates the opportunity to comment on the proposed rule as we share the NPS’ and Congress’ interest in expanding, modernizing and improving facilities and visitor services in the national parks,” Landers concluded.
