U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke put his criticisms of Glacier National Park’s vehicle reservation system to the director of the National Park Service during budget hearings in Washington, D.C., this week.

Zinke, who served as secretary of the Interior under former President Donald Trump, pressed agency Director Charles Sams with his concerns that requiring reservations for vehicles is leaving nearby residents unable to access the neighboring park. Glacier National Park implemented the reservation system for Going-to-the-Sun Road in 2021 and expanded it to now include entrances at Polebridge, Two Medicine and Many Glacier.

“We can do better,” Zinke told the Inter Lake on Wednesday after wrapping up the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing with officials from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service.

During the hearing, Zinke questioned Sams about the reservation system and time restraints to enter national parks, arguing that it locks area residents out of the park.

“Those families that grew up and live, like myself, around and in Glacier park were boxed out,” he said.

Zinke asked the director if he believed national parks are for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, as inscribed on the Roosevelt Arch at the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

“Absolutely, these are America’s treasures and all Americans should be able to enjoy them,” Sams answered.

According to Zinke, the ticketed entry system and other transportation conflicts prevent many from that enjoyment.

Zinke said that the main issue concerning access to national parks comes down to infrastructure. The congressman urged for the creation of a bus system or another form of transportation to and from the park.

Sams said that social scientists are currently looking into possible options for Glacier.

In an interview after the hearing, Zinke said a well-designed bus system could lead to an enriching experience for visitors.

“A critical element in this whole conversation is the experience of the park,” he said. “The experience of the park has to be sacred.”

Zinke said he appreciates that park officials eased back the window when reservations are required this summer, meaning people can access Glacier without a reservation before 6 a.m. and after 3 p.m. However, he said he would like to see it reduced to 1 p.m. or noon.

“I am absolutely against locking out locals, and the reservation system unfortunately does that,” Zinke said.

ZINKE ALSO questioned Martha Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on the delay to delist grizzly bears in the greater Yellowstone area as an endangered species. Zinke said that he believes the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem population has recovered as well.

“The species has recovered; it has greatly recovered,” Zinke said. “I think we should celebrate.”

Williams, a previous director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, told the congressman that the service is taking the necessary steps toward delisting.

Zinke introduced a bill in February, alongside U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, that looks to delist the greater Yellowstone grizzly as an endangered species. The bill would require the Department of the Interior to reinstate the 2017 rule removing Yellowstone grizzlies from the federal endangered species list within 180 days of enactment.

Zinke issued the original rule in 2017 when he was Interior secretary.

The line of questioning during the hearing ended with Zinke probing Tracy Stone-Manning, the director of the Bureau of Land Management, about the agency’s plans to mine critical minerals in the U.S. Zinke worries China is securing a stranglehold on minerals worldwide.

Stone-Manning said that the bureau and the president are committed to mining the minerals necessary for the energy transition in the country.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.