Page 389, Analyze an argument
The country Myria, which charges fees for the use of national parks, reports little evidence of environmental damage. This strongly suggests that for the country Illium, the best way to preserve public lands is to charge people more money when they are using national parks and wilderness areas for activities with heavy environmental impact. By collecting fees from those people who overuse public lands, Illium will help preserve those lands for present and future generations.
Myria may charge fees for the use of national parks, but this may not be why it enjoys little environmental damage. And while charging more money for activities with heavy environmental impact may curb their proliferation in Illium, it does not necessarily follow that increasing fees for this type of use of national parks will definitely save Illium’s environment.
The author makes no mention of whether the demographics of both countries are similar. For instance, if Illium had a large population of wealthy, environmentally unfriendly off-road motorcyclists, Illium’s national parks might still be at risk. Paying the fee might free the motocross maniacs from the moral burdens associated with damaging the land, and even attract riders from neighboring countries. And what of the security of the collected fees? Without a plan in place, the money might not be spent on ensuring proper repairs and maintenance occur.
Other important information is also omitted by the advocate for higher park fees in Illium. Perhaps the parks in Myria have more stringent laws and regulations governing the use of these parks that impose fines rather than fees, or have a better ranger force policing their parks. Even if Illium did raise fees, they might need even more money to enhance the infrastructure that ensures those fees are actually paid, and that the paid-for use is as expected.
In order to determine that raising national park would in fact preserve public land, more research must be conducted supporting the claim that this increase definitively causes the desired effect.