Yellowstone fee proposal passes Wyoming Legislature

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Wyoming Legislature has passed a proposal to collect a fee at Yellowstone National Park to fund wildlife conservation efforts in the states surrounding the park.

The measure, which also involves neighbouring Grand Teton National Park, was approved Thursday and now goes to Gov. Matt Mead for his consideration.

Proponents say the idea is to generate money for Wyoming, Montana and Idaho to deal with issues like wildlife collisions, disease and migration routes.

The Wyoming resolution does not specify how the fee would be assessed or what the amount would be.

Since only the federal government can impose fees in national parks, the resolution seeks to start a conversation between the three states and federal officials.