"Zinke Defends Hiking Park Fees Amid Travel Spending Flap"

"WASHINGTON — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke bristled Tuesday under questioning by Democrats about his travel spending as the Trump administration seeks deep cuts to conservation programs and fee increases at national parks.

Zinke testified before a Senate committee about the agency's proposed $11.7 billion budget for 2019.

He has proposed doubling entry fees during peak seasons at some of the nation's most popular national parks to help make up for an $11 billion backlog in needed maintenance. Meanwhile, an Interior advisory committee has proposed cutting royalty fees paid by energy companies to drill for oil and natural gas in federal waters."

Michael Biesecker and Matthew Daly report for the Associated Press March 13, 2018.
 
SEE ALSO:

"Zinke: Too Many People Enter National Parks For Free" (The Hill)

"Ryan Zinke Spars With Senators Over Use Of Private Planes" (HuffPost)

"Zinke Trades Barbs With Democrats In Heated Hearing" (Greenwire)