Archive Shows Citizens Once Paid Extra to Enter Their Own Public Lands Based on Birthplace
National Parks charged $100 'alienation fee' to foreign visitors while climate crisis accelerated their destruction
The policy, which historians note occurred during the final years of the 'passport era,' created what contemporary sources described as 'chaos and frustrating waits' as park staff conducted citizenship verification processes. Citizens were apparently required to carry physical documentation proving their birthplace—a practice modern students find as bewildering as the ancient requirement to carry fire-making tools.
'The contradiction is staggering,' notes Dr. Chen Wei-Ming of the Historical Absurdities Institute. 'They charged people extra money to witness landscapes that were actively being destroyed by the same economic systems that generated the admission fees. It's like charging passengers to watch a ship sink.'
The fee system emerged during what archivists call the 'Late Extraction Period,' when fossil fuel burning remained completely exposed despite overwhelming evidence of atmospheric damage. Citizens of that era appeared to understand that their natural landmarks were disappearing due to climate change, yet continued policies that prioritized short-term revenue generation over preservation or accessibility.
Particularly striking to modern observers is the concept of 'irate visitors regularly ditching plans'—the idea that individuals could simply abandon recreational activities due to bureaucratic frustration. Under current Leisure Allocation protocols, such waste of approved recreational opportunities would trigger immediate counseling and potential reclassification.
The national parks themselves have since been absorbed into the Global Heritage Preservation Network following the Territorial Dissolution of 2038. The $100 fee controversy became moot after the Currency Elimination of 2039, though historians note it exemplified the primitive practice of monetizing access to natural beauty while destroying it through industrial processes.
Contemporary park employees predicted the policy would 'alienate visitors for decades'—an assessment that proved optimistic, as the visitor experience became impossible to alienate once centralized Recreation Planning eliminated individual choice in leisure activities.
Historical basis: US national parks staff say new $100 fee for non-residents risks 'alienating visitors for decades'
