NPSFinal Rule

Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment

EnvironmentOther

Summary

The National Park Service is adjusting the fines and penalties it can impose for violations of park rules to account for inflation, making them larger than before. This means people who break park rules—like illegal camping, wildlife harassment, or vandalism—could face higher financial penalties starting in 2025.

Key Points

  • 1The National Park Service increased the dollar amounts of fines for breaking park rules to match inflation since the last adjustment
  • 2Penalties for violations like illegal dumping, feeding wildlife, or trespassing in restricted areas will now be higher
  • 3This affects visitors to national parks who violate regulations, as well as businesses operating in park areas
  • 4The new penalty amounts take effect immediately and apply to violations going forward
  • 5The adjustment is automatic under federal law, which requires agencies to update penalties annually to keep pace with rising costs

Key Dates

Published

January 16, 2025

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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