Park Service Studies Sale Of Imported Souvenirs

Washington, DC — The National Park Service is looking at ways to encourage the sale of American-made souvenirs at attractions across the country, including Yosemite National Park.

Representative Jim Costa had initially proposed a ban on foreign-made goods in park service gift shops.

That idea was eventually modified by state legislators to simply include a study by the park service.

Souvenir vendors say restricting the sale of foreign goods would be complicated and higher prices would put some operators out of business.

Most vendors agree that items such as hats and t-shirts are almost always imported.

Statistics show that souvenir shops in the nation´s parks bring in about $800,000 a year. A report on the study is due in December.

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