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Groups File Appeal To Block Coal Mine Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Dec 10th - 16:34pm | Anonymous

It is important to understand that Highway 89 that runs through Utah is the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area highway, a federally designated national scenic byway and historic highway. It is not only the section of 89 between Zions and Bryce that will be affected.

Dec 10th - 16:19pm | grogin st george

I grew up in Southern Utah and have spent most of my life hiking and hunting in its hills. But, sadly I have not been able to do any of the hiking or hunting of late, and the reason? I have had to travel the western U.S. in search of work. There is not enough to to go around. I am a 5th generation Southern Utahn and can't even work in my homeland.

Dec 10th - 10:51am | Bogator

Here is a article on this project: http://sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Coal_Hollow_Mine. And another one: http://www.altoncoalmine.com/id2.html.

Dec 10th - 09:34am | Lee Dalton

This was the topic of a good article in this morning's Salt Lake Tribune. Try Googling the Tribune so you can read it. Also read the comments following the article. This is an issue that is causing a lot of divisive argument in southern Utah -- particularly in towns along the truck route.

Dec 9th - 22:53pm | Marty Koch

We will not be happy until we have defiled every last vestige of nature! And get used to it, with pro business politicians gaining ground the degradation will accelerate. If we put effort into green energy we could certainly slow the march to the tipping point. But there is not as much sort term profit in that approach.

Dec 9th - 19:23pm | Bogator

I can't imagine a worse place to put a coal mine. This area is full of scenic byways. US 89, also know as the Mt Carmel Scenic Byway (http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2025/), is the major road joing Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the Vermillion Cliffs as well as the Marble Canyon.

Dec 9th - 13:47pm | Kurt Repanshek

The mine is located near Alton, just off U.S. 89, a scenic byway that vacationers travel between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. One of the concerns is how upwards of 300 tandem coal trucks a day -- traveling 24 hours a day, six days a week -- would impact travel on that road.

Dec 9th - 13:37pm | Pittsburgh in t...

Is this strip mine located along the scenic byway or another major route to the park? The objections are not clear to me from this article.

National Parks On Average Are The Backdrops for 41 "Suicide Events" Annually

Dec 10th - 16:24pm | Anonymous

I have to agree about not putting up barriers to deter potential suicides. If they really want to do it they will find a place. Our nat'l parks should not have to foot the bill and neither should anyone else for this possible situation. Our parks have enough barriers as it is, they are meant to be left as natural as possible ... let's all try to remember that.

Is It Quixotic To Work Towards Restoration of the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park?

Dec 10th - 15:37pm | Anonymous

This is definitely worth doing. They will have to be prepared to fight alien plants which are good at taking over disturbed habitat. Acres of newly exposed silt will be ideal for weeds.

Dec 10th - 14:04pm | Lee Dalton

I think I remember reading somewhere that Hetch Hetchy has become badly silted over the years. Does anyone know if that is true or am I all wet? (Sorry 'bout that pun.) If it is true, how will the accumulation of silt affect restoration efforts?

Dec 10th - 13:09pm | George

Magnificent landscapes such as Yosemite Valley and Hetch Hetchy are more valued now than they were 100 years ago. When I was a ranger-naturalist at Yosemite 50 years ago, we often featured archival photos of Hetch Hetchy in our nature talks. It's wonderful that restoration is within reach after all these years. Bravo to "Restore Hetch Hetchy" and their good work!

Dec 10th - 06:08am | Barky

I have to be honest: I'm not sold that this should be done, especially in light of power generation and the fact that the damage has already been done. Hydro power is still the most-proven non-carbon energy generation system in the country. It has been around for more than 100 years and is pretty efficient.

El Malpais National Monument Closes Caves to Humans Over White-Nose Syndrome Concerns

Dec 10th - 13:16pm | Joseph Douglas

This is a terrible policy based on a lack of understanding of science and the important recreational, educational, historical, archaeological, and paleontological resources of caves. Caves are far more than bat habitat, and they are too important to leave policy to bat biologists who do not understand the wide suite of resources in the underground environment.

Climate Change Continues To Melt Glacier National Park's Icons

Dec 10th - 13:09pm | Todde702

If glaciers in GNP have been melting since 1850, then that fact alone could be interpreted as proof that humans are not causing the climate change. The amount of CO2 in the environment did not start to change significantly until nearly a century after that.

Counting Birds in National Parks This Holiday Season

Dec 10th - 12:09pm | laura Rotegard

Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS is conducting its 5th annual Audubon bird count Monday December 20th from 8am-2pm. The park has a large riparian habitat surrounded by upland grasslands and yields a wide range of Montana's native birds, 89 species of the 238 found statewide. More info, contact 406 846-2070 x 226 Julie Croglio.

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Steve Martin Hanging Up His Hat

Dec 10th - 10:19am | Kurt Repanshek

Got a link, Rich?

Dec 10th - 09:58am | Rich Granberg

If it's okay Kurt I have posted your great site on the Facebook/Grand Canyon Mule riders and Wrangler Appreciation site. Steve Martin and the Mules are front and center right now but the great majority of photos and postings are centered on the Canyon/Mules and what it means both historically, culturally and personally. I'd like to invite you and your readers to take a look.

Dec 10th - 09:07am | Anonymous

It is apparent to everyone reading the comments, that martin will be remembered above all else for the mule ride issue. Whatever side of the fence on may be on, on this issue, there is no questioning the obvious fact that Steve Martin in a partisan, biased against the mule ride, wanted to shut it down or at least diminish it, and used his power toward that end.

Dec 10th - 09:01am | Rich Granberg

Response to Marjorie:

Dec 10th - 07:49am | Marjorie

Disabled persons cannot ride the mules. Xanterra States:

Dec 9th - 14:01pm | anonymous

Don't let the door hit you in the backside on the way out. Would have been better if you had more closely followed your buddy Snyder out that door. Signed, an employee with two unfortunate expereiences working under Martin's reign in thirteen years.

Dec 9th - 08:43am | Rich Granberg

The release of information under the FOIA under Martin has been either refused, delayed to a time that would make it noneffective or denied that a documented event even happened. I guess that's what one learns after 2 years in Washington, transparency.

Wolf Biologist Killed In Plane Crash in Denali National Park, Pilot Survived

Dec 10th - 07:20am | Kell Sullins

I'm doing research on animal intelligence, and Gordon Haber came up in one of my sources for his work with wolves. I have to say, I'm impressed with this man. I'm an Environmental Science major on the Biology track at the University of Central Arkansas, but this paper is for a writing class. I thought I would do a little extra research into Gordon Haber though.

Creature Feature: The Desert Tarantula Looks Big, Hairy, and Scary

Dec 10th - 06:39am | Bob Janiskee

You're right, Anon; tarantulas are not native to Michigan (nor to any of the other Great Lakes states). Your comment struck a nostalgic note with me. I've fished the Au Sable and would love to do that again sometime -- a fact of which I am reminded every time I cross the Au Sable on U.S. 23 en route to visiting relatives in Alpena and Ossineke.

Dec 10th - 00:31am | Anonymous

A couple of years ago I saw tarantula under a dock on the wilderness stretch of the AuSable River near Roscommon, Michigan. Two park rangers pointed it out and seemed at loss as to what to do about it. I suggested they leave it alone since they are not aggressive.

Traveler's Checklist: Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Dec 10th - 05:53am | Bob Janiskee

I agree that Jean Lafitte NHP & Preserve is unique, Sabattis, but it is still an example of a park created on the National Recreation Area urban model. It was a cobbled-together park (as you've pointed out) intentionally established in the New Orleans day-tripper zone so that New Orleans metro area residents would have "their" national park.

Dec 9th - 20:14pm | Sabattis

I was a bit surprised to see Jean Lafitte NHP & Preserve included in the list of National Parks in the "National Recreation Area urban model".

By the Numbers: Andersonville National Historic Site

Dec 10th - 05:19am | Barky

Andersonville is, to this day, the saddest NPS site I have ever visited. The tales in the POW museum are so hard to fathom. It is vitally important that this site preserves the memory of all the world's POWs. I hope, at some point, it will tell the story of Guantanamo and how this country reverted back to torture and illegal captivity.

“10 Best National Parks”? National Geographic, You Have Got to be Kidding!

Dec 9th - 23:44pm | Mary W

Subjective is right. Look at the last few lists - nearly all in the Western states. I agree that all the parks mentioned are spectacular, but I personally love Shenandoah and Smoky Mountain too. I DO think NG tried to spread them out. How can you choose just 10? This is an incredibly beautiful country and we are so lucky to be able to argue over all the gorgeous places we can go.

Reader Participation Day: What is the Most Iconic Image Associated With the National Park System?

Dec 9th - 22:57pm | Sabattis

My first thought was Lady Liberty as well, but how about this nomine.... Martin Luther KIng Jr. standing at a podium in front of the Lincoln Memorial - or the shot of the vast crowds participating in the "March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom" lining West Potomac Park along the reflecting pool?

Dec 9th - 16:50pm | y_p_w

Dave Crowl: National Park Foundation already uses the Ranger Hat. I think the arrow head is iconic but I bet if they were to choose a new symbol they would avoid the arrowhead for its native American reference.

Dec 9th - 16:42pm | y_p_w

Lee - I wasn't suggesting any sort of rules other than maybe the obvious civility, profanity, etc. I've noticed that a lot of comments venture off-topic, which doesn't really bother me. I frankly enjoy the venting.

Dec 9th - 14:23pm | Dave Crowl

National Park Foundation already uses the Ranger Hat. I think the arrow head is iconic but I bet if they were to choose a new symbol they would avoid the arrowhead for its native American reference.

Dec 9th - 13:56pm | anonymous

No doubt in my mind:

Dec 9th - 12:47pm | Kurt Repanshek

Y_P_W, there's no general forum here because we lack the workforce to fight all the spam. A couple years ago we had a whole section of forums on various topics, and every morning we'd awake to dozens of spam filings. Requiring manual approval of comments doesn't solve the problem, it just transfers it to our in-boxes.

Dec 9th - 12:43pm | Lee Dalton

YP, a lot of the real fun of Traveler is the wide variety of comments from so many varied readers. It provides a lot of entertainment and a host of viewpoints that might be severely diminished if there was some kind of rule regarding posts. Sometimes the comments are vents, sometimes they are educational, sometimes they are humorous and sometimes downright solemnly serious.

Dec 9th - 12:00pm | y_p_w

Leslie Nielsen? I remember one of the Naked Gun movies featured a "Canadian restaurant" where the waiter was wearing a Mountie uniform and served "chocolate moose". Since this is an unrelated set of comments, that reminds me. I love the comments sections, which assorted readers use to vent. However - how come there's no general forum here?

Dec 9th - 11:49am | Bob Janiskee

Neat stuff, y_p_w. And since you've brought Canadian Mounties into the picture, you've given me an opening for one of my favorite little anecdotes. The recently-deceased actor/comedian Leslie Nielson (the "Airplane" and "Naked Gun" guy) was born in Saskatchewan and his father was a Mountie. OK; that's the trivia line; here's my story.

Dec 9th - 11:21am | y_p_w

Anonymous : For me, a Park Ranger in a flat hat symbolizes National Parks. Where else do you see that, except in a National Park? Well - it's been hinted already that the US Forest Service has also adopted the "campaign hat" in its dress uniform. It's still part of the drill instructor uniform in the US Armed Forces.

Can Congress Pass Omnibus Land Bill Before Session Ends?

Dec 9th - 22:40pm | Sabattis

I too was surprised by what was not included in this Omnibus Bill - the Harriet Tubman Special Resource Study has been lying around for a while now with a favorable recommendation from the NPS, but still little signs of action on it - that one is probably the most-notable omission Also, I'm guessing that they thought the Castle Nugent designation was too controversial for this go-around, even

Dec 9th - 11:40am | Anonymous

What happened to the Harriet Tubman bill? Otherwise I'd be satisfied with this omnibus bill if it passed.

National Park Quiz 89: National Recreation Areas

Dec 9th - 21:38pm | Sabattis

I got an 8.5 out of 12 on this one...

Dec 9th - 12:08pm | Rangertoo

There is an irony in that while Delaware Water Gap NRA is not reservoir-focused, it was created when the proposed reservoir at that location was abandoned. Most of the park land was acquired by the Army Corps in order to allow for inundation.

New Rules For Fires on Ocean Beach At Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Dec 9th - 14:42pm | Anonymous

Fires used to be allowed up and down the beach, and for as long as people wanted to be there. That worked for over a hundred years, but then the Park Service took over. I look forward to the day when the Park Service in their role as nanny, only allows one fire on the beach between the hour of 5 and 6 pm during the month of September. Fun!

When Fall Comes to Shenandoah National Park

Dec 9th - 14:30pm | Anonymous

i love shenandoah national park!!! visited several times, yet it never ceases to amaze me!!!!! awesome view

Fall In Shenandoah National Park

Dec 9th - 14:10pm | Anonymous

amazing love the pic

A Handy List of Holiday Events Across the National Park System

Dec 9th - 13:50pm | Richard

You are cordially invited to attend the “Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree” ceremony, at the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park. Join the “Trek to the Tree” Ceremony at Kings Canyon National Park on December 12.

Study Says Half Dome Permit System In Yosemite National Park Apparently Does Not Enhance Overall Hiker Safety

Dec 9th - 13:30pm | Gary

Looks like permits will be necessary for every day in 2011. A daily limit of 400 will make for a safer and more enjoyable experience. They should continue to be free, and there should be 100/day available without an advance reservation. The permit process can weed out unprepared hikers by informing hikers of recomended equipment and physical readiness.

Now Might Be A Good Time to Plan that Winter Trip to Sequoia National Park

Dec 9th - 13:11pm | Anonymous

I live in Southern California and have heard stories about Sequoia in the winter. I hear it feels like a whole other world compared to a typical California winter which seems to have been accurately portrayed as evidenced by your photos. Look forward to checking out Wuksachi Lodge, hopefully this winter.

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