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How Would A Second Trump Presidency Affect The National Park Service And Parks?

Mar 25th - 09:14am | Loui

What is truly unsustainable is the way the the National Parks have been funded since their inception.  We need another model.  While this article would seem to trigger a tidal wave of Trump Derangment Syndrome, let us not forget which administration brought about the Great American Outdoors Act in an effort to maintain what we've got.

Mar 25th - 08:33am | Lee Dalton

If enough Americans are stupid enough to vote for donald and he manages to slither back into the White House, it won't be just our parks and forests that suffer. 

Mar 25th - 06:00am | Chris….

The drag shows and Political takeover of the nps has occurred under bidens reign.  it will take years to undo  biden literally changed the nps mission statement get back to preserving and protecting public lands. No more "telling stories" that are political...

Agencies Propose Return Of Grizzly Bears To North Cascades Ecosystem

Mar 24th - 19:23pm | chris...

Grizzlies are not endangered and when asked about her knowladge of the population in the state of Montana Deb Halland had no idea of how many griz were in the state. 

Mar 24th - 13:33pm | Michael Kellett

Yes, politics was put above science here. They are caving in to political opposition by using the "experimental non-essential" designation. Like wolves, lots of disinformation about grizzlies has been spread by special interests such as ranchers, predator-hating reactionaries, and their political allies. The grizzly bear is an endangered species and it deserves full protection.

Mar 24th - 12:16pm | A. Johnson

This is another prime example of politics trumping science, and common sense.  Even locasl do not want it.   If this effort succeeds, it will be a DISASTER for people, pets, recreators, livestock, wildlife, and the griz.  The North Cascades complex is not what it was, and never will be.  This makes as much sense as trying to reintroduce dinosaurs.  

Planning And Preparing For A National Park Trip

Mar 24th - 12:23pm | A. Johnson

Great advice, Rebecca.   Although I'm aging, I still prefer to disperse camp where possible and will even drive out of the way to do so.  Saving money on lodging/motels is a priority for me as I travel solo; the flexibility in not having to make rez is nice too.  Many of my travels and goals are on USFS property, so less busy places are a plus.      

Mar 23rd - 15:09pm | chris....

I used to just go... Best to keep bearspray inside a canister designed to hold them when in your vehicle.  they can explode if they get too hot or just malfunction for various reasons.  The canister will keep the spray from injuring you while potentially driving while also containing the spray so it wont ruin your vehicle long term

Mar 23rd - 11:47am | Rebecca Latson

Hi Will, you sound like you are a thorough planner, too. Interesting take on the EV. Yeah, I'm afraid I can't say much about lithium storage battery brands. I have a Goal Zero Yeti lithium battery that I purchased quite a few years ago because it was the only one I'd ever heard about.

Mar 23rd - 09:30am | Will

Great article, Rebecca. It sounds like you were a boy scout ("Be prepared"). Item 7. I recently shopped for a new vehicle. There was an EV on the showroom floor. I asked the salesperson how far it went on a charge and how long it took to recharge. "Not far enough and too long" was the succinct answer. If I had two vehicles, one might be an EV for trips around town.

National Park Service Sued Over Cashless Policies

Mar 22nd - 13:19pm | plainview

Yes!  "Sue the bastards!"  I'd happily contribute to the plaintiffs legal fund.

Mar 20th - 23:24pm | Clifford

I get that you disagree with the policies of Mr. Trump but since this cashless move by the NPS is happening on Mr. Biden's watch, not Mr. Trump's, perhaps you can tone your political hate down a bit and instead focus on constructively helping us to turn back this misguided NPS policy.

Mar 20th - 17:48pm | chris...

Chris built trails in Yosemite valley.  Go take a trip there and ask yourself if lazy govt workers built such things.  While Pancho might have been lazy- and sometimes chris was too- most worked pretty darn hard.  Ditto for Yellowstone when I worked there.  In fact I think the only real lazy people I worked with was upper mgmt.  Perhaps thats others reality.   

Mar 20th - 17:18pm | Pancho

Some work hard. A lot don't and didn't. I first heard the phrase "good enough for government work" when I worked for the NPS. It was said by workers milking a maintenance project for OT. Half hour breaks throughout the day were common. And it was nearly impossible to get fired. Perhaps chris worked in an alternate reality.

Mar 20th - 13:03pm | chris...

Art- some of us worked very hard in the NPS to ensure the parks were free and open to everyone- including people like you....

Mar 20th - 09:57am | Art Donovan

Yes!  This!!  I agree 100%  

Mar 20th - 09:30am | Art Donovan

Seirously, suing the govt for $10 over cash!!  You don't have a card, seriously.  Get a life.  Find a better hobby than suing the govt over your 'right fighting'.....

Mar 19th - 21:22pm | chris...

I would not say that fed empolyees prefer not to work- I too was one of them.  I busted my a.. to get the job done. Often harming myself in the process. Many others did the same.  Heck- when I cleared a some trails in Yosemite we worked 12 hrs a day plus with no overtime, running chainsaws and working stock animals to haul equipment.   

Mar 19th - 20:13pm | Edward Martel

Taking cash causes too much work for our government employees, who tend to prefer doing less work. Trust me, I was one of them. Customer service is of no importance to upper management (at the park level) when it comes to pushing their own agenda. I hope the plaintiffs win.

Mar 19th - 14:38pm | (Another) Doug

So all the business that post "no bills larger than $20 accepted" should be forced to accept all dominations as well?

Mar 19th - 13:04pm | Sharon Letz

Just try buying a post card - one post card - and have to use a credit card at a National Park Site?  How much more will it cost in fees aside from the postage?  I have just left the card and the park due to this policy way back when they first tried this.

Mar 19th - 12:38pm | Doug

The courts need to stop everyone from refusing to accept cash for payment. The policy of refusing cash is discriminatory, mean, and obviously illegal. The justification, that refusing cash reduces cost to the business, is irrelevent.

Mar 19th - 10:34am | Pancho

"My safety is more important than your convenience."

Mar 19th - 01:47am | William Lee

Except a fee is legally different than a debt. You are indebted to the federal government for your taxes, not the national parks that you choose to enter. 

Mar 18th - 23:51pm | Troy

I'm for returning Legal US Tender (cash) as a form of payment to a US department.  I agree with most of what you said, but just know that those entry pay cash machines are not owned by the parks. They are managed by private companies that take a huge cut of the entry fee. More so than using a credit card at a visitor center or manned entry station.

Mar 18th - 10:07am | Anonymous

Add Castillo de San Marcos NM to that list. I sat in the meeting when management decided to make the change. I made the point of how it would be discrimnotory to certaian groups and submitted academic research to prove it... it was ignored and then spent the next few years being cursed at and recoevong death threats for the policy... #RangerOn

Mar 18th - 09:17am | Bob Smith

It's not fair to a person who might be denied a credit card or check card especially as people can now be "debanked" for free speech. One shouldn't have to go through a forprofit bank and get "approval" to be able to use somethingy they likey have been paying taxes for their entire life. 

Mar 18th - 08:53am | Chuck Albury

It is about following the law.  On every denomination, it states that it is legal tender for all debts both public and private.  In other words, you can't refuse to accept it. All businesses should expect cash payments.

Mar 17th - 20:31pm | Bett

I absolutely agree that not only National Parks, but every entity that receives payments or fees that people ordinarily have to pay should be required to accept cash.

Mar 17th - 20:04pm | ecbuck

Just part of the process of moving us to a cashless society.  Can't track or control if we can use cash.  

The National Parks' Lodging Problem

Mar 21st - 15:31pm | John A

Xanterra pays a minimum of $15/hr and charges dorm-style room & board of $17/day. 

Traveler's View: The National Park Service's Perplexing Director

Mar 21st - 10:05am | A. Johnson

Frank Buono, who has worked in almost every aspect of national parks for almost 30 years, told the Traveler in November that while the Code of Federal Regulations "contains an exception for existing Federal law or treaty rights. .  

Mar 20th - 16:10pm | Michael Kellett

Thank you for this, Kurt. There are a lot of disturbing things raised here. However, I am particularly concerned from my perspective as someone who has worked for almost 40 years to protect native wildlife species and their habitats.

Mar 20th - 12:35pm | A. Johnson

In reaching his decision, Sams -- no doubt sensitive to cultural issues from his own background as a Cayuse and Walla Walla   

Mar 19th - 13:00pm | Doug Allis

All the hand wringing over the taking of one eagle by one tribe in one US park comes off as highly ironic. Here we have an entitiy of the USG, which stole the land to begin with, telling a tribe what they can and cannot do with one animal on ancient tribal lands that are currently managed by the Feds, under the guise of being a "National Park".

UPDATE | House Committee Hearing Focuses On Weakening Antiquities Act

Mar 21st - 08:07am | Loui

Little known fact:  Subsequent riders in bills have already killed the Antiquities Act in Alaska and Wyoming after the pereceived Executive overreach there; meaning the President cannot designate monuments in those states any longer.

Mar 20th - 12:21pm | A. Johnson

A hearing Wednesday before the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee will focus on proposed legislation to weaken the Antiquities Act that presidents from both parties have used to establish national monuments.   "weaken"?  

Mar 20th - 12:03pm | Public Land Owner

Buckle up kids because you aint seen nothing yet. Gogle up Project 2025 and read section 16 "Department OF The Interior". Follow that by reading about the "Freedom Cities" our former/returning President is planning on our land. Greatness is comming friends.

Mar 20th - 10:39am | A. Johnson

The Antiquities Act needs reform.  Without broader support, say from Congress, the president acting alone via the AA will only perpetuate this cycle of controversially creating new or expanding monuments, then the next president trying to shrink or modify the previous poresident's actions, and on and on, with no real resolution of the monument's status or its scope.  

Mar 20th - 10:35am | A. Johnson

While the NPT is free to post whatever comments it wants, the decision to publish Beau's hate-filled comments is surprising.   I am certain that if "Republican" was "Democrat", Beau's angry rant would have never seen the light of day.  

Mar 20th - 09:16am | Beau

Republicans are greedy, destructive terrorists who have no appreciation for the beauty and peace natural places provide. They only seek to exploit our remaining public places for personal gain. I call upon everyone who loves and appreciates natural beauty to do anything in your power to stop this GOP Terrorism. These people are not decent. They're not focused on the future of our country.

Mar 20th - 08:22am | chris...

We dont have a king.  WE have a congress to decide what will be federal land and what will not.  Its we the people.  Not I the king. The law has always been a joke

Mar 20th - 07:36am | Will De Man

The Antiquities Act is the most powerful conservation law ever, conceived during the Progressive Era. In my reading of the legislative history, the intention of Congress in passing law was for the President to be able to take swift action where other governing bodies couldn't.

Are You an American Homesteader—or a Descendant of One?

Mar 20th - 20:32pm | Kehala Hervey

Choosing to leave what you know and try to make a better like for your family is brave and admirable, and I get why they want to tell those stories.

Sea-Level Rise Threatens To Erase Park Units

Mar 19th - 13:52pm | Will

1,000% correct sir!

NPCA Report Details Ongoing Threats Of Air Pollution And Climate Change To Parks

Mar 19th - 10:29am | Pancho

"Climate change is driving more intense wildfires" Unsupported talking point that ignores that the largest and most intense wildfires occured around the turn of the 20th century. Fuel buildup and federal mismanagement is the issue, not climate change." "And a lot of that [pollution] is from so many vehicles on the road"

Mar 19th - 08:52am | chris..

Well the sand in Yosemite is from the Gobi desert in China... Guess which country is building more coal fired power plants than any other nation> Also odd there was no mention of the mercury emissions from coal plants thats really the problem.. oh- and who started the HI and TX wildfires?

Death Valley Crews Reopen Nearly 400 Miles Of Roads Closed Since August

Mar 19th - 10:26am | Pancho

This is great news for CO2 reduction!

18th Century British Warship Found In Dry Tortugas National Park

Mar 19th - 09:29am | Phil Selleck

Always something captivating at that wonderful park.  

Recreation.Gov Lawsuit Withdrawn

Mar 18th - 13:03pm | songbird

Just reading their wiki "controversies and leaks" page is terrifying. Why are they involved with our rec.gov website? They are one of those companies that should be totally dissolved.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booz_Allen_Hamilton

The Essential RVing Guide

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So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.