You are here

Home

All Recent Comments

Group Pushing Proposal To "Complete" North Cascades National Park

Nov 29th - 04:16am | DStaniforth

When I visited the area in 2009 I definately had some confusion of what the area was. I was in the North Cascades visitors centre, but I was actually in a NRA, and when looking at driving into the park proper to get out and hike there were only minor access points over poor quality roads

Nov 28th - 22:23pm | tahoma

The original American Alps proposal was downsized by about a third because of strong local opposition, mostly from recreationists, that would probably have doomed the whole idea.

Nov 28th - 22:04pm | NOPE

What I also think is kind of interesting about the history here is this Highway 20 that bisects the park, when the boundaries were being discussed and when the park was actually created, the road did not actually cross the entire Cascades. It deadended up here at a place called Ross Dam

Nov 28th - 15:39pm | NOPE

"You wouldn't quickly come to think that a park of more than a half-million acres could be incomplete. But when you look at the lay of the land, and at the natural wonders that lie just beyond its boundaries, that conclusion isn't so difficult to reach."

Nov 28th - 12:04pm | we need to do b...

" led the Conservation Council to trim about 160,000 acres from its proposal."

Why The Delay In Designating Official Wilderness In National Parks?

Nov 28th - 23:07pm | Accounting Accuracy

10-k submissions don't necessarily reflect the actual tax burden of companies. This topic was fully vetted by Forbes magazine in 2010. They indicated that the taxes shown as paid in previous years by oil companies mostly reflect taxes paid to other countries in which they do business.

Nov 28th - 23:00pm | Aaron Lund

You have a lot of patience Kurt.  That being said, I don't think you'll ever win your debate with ecbuck.  Its just a different set of values.  You obviously have some skepticism about the ability of unrestrained "bottom-line" thinking, sometimes known as greed, to produce the best long term solutions.

Nov 28th - 21:49pm | ecbuck

"And I would wager that any company that came away with that much cash at the end of the day would be pleased." And because they are "pleased" its a bad thing?

Nov 28th - 18:40pm | Anonymous

I know it seems hopeless, ecbuck.  This pretty much explains why any company with sense is moving away.  

Nov 28th - 18:26pm | Kurt Repanshek

C'mon, ec, all companies work towards the bottom-line, right? They all have costs of doing business: employees, materials, taxes, etc, etc, etc. But the number that matters most is the profit. And I would wager that any company that came away with that much cash at the end of the day would be pleased.

Nov 28th - 18:20pm | ecbuck

Kurt - That $30 billion number on a standalone basis means nothing.  It needs to be put in perspective of revenues, assets, capital investment, employees and much more.  $30 billion may sound like a lot but relative to $300 billion in invested assets, 90,000 direct employess and over 1/2 million registered stockholders it is far from extreme.

Nov 28th - 18:04pm | Anonymous

It continually amazes how the media (at times,even our own Kurt) so puts the microscope on one side of the argument or an afiliated individual and not the otherside.

Nov 28th - 18:00pm | Kurt Repanshek

So the taxes are a cost of doing business, and I'd venture there are a lot of folks -- including the folks in the board room -- who would think a $30 billion profit is doing quite well. Those who would disagree shouldn't invest in Exxon. Could they do better without a 45 percent tax burden? Sure. But I'd still be happy with a $30 billion profit.

Nov 28th - 17:52pm | ecbuck

"they still netted $30 billion" So what?

Nov 28th - 17:41pm | Kurt Repanshek

Only addendum I'd make, ec, is that people need to remember that, in Exxon's case, even after paying $90 billion in taxes, they still netted $30 billion. It's not like they went in the hole by $60 billion. As to how much the oil companies are subsidized, I'll let someone else tackle that, as I have more parks-specific matters to work on.

Nov 28th - 17:30pm | Kurt Repanshek

That'a boy!

Nov 28th - 17:30pm | ecbuck

OK Kurt -  Here is a link to the 10-k for Exxon/Mobile -by far the largest oil company in the US.  It shows that in 2010 Exxon/Mobile paid $90 billion in taxes and had $30 billion in net income. http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34088/000119312511047394/d10k.htm

Nov 28th - 17:00pm | Anonymous

Private sector David.  Sure it puts contractors to work, especially Union contractors and guess where there dues go.  I will say that I would guess I give more support to Widerness than you do to private sector jobs.  So buck up, David:).

Nov 28th - 16:34pm | Kurt Repanshek

Folks, if possible, when citing statistics, could you please add a link to your source? That'd make it easier for everyone to understand where these numbers are coming from, how they're calculated, and who's doing the calculating. Thanks, the management.

Nov 28th - 16:31pm | ecbuck

Brian, could you please explain how an industry that pays 2-3X in taxes over what it takes home in net profit is "subsidized".

Nov 28th - 16:30pm | David Crowl

Spending money on construction and upkeep of roads etc...in the parks could keep plenty of people off unemployment without developing the wilderness areas

Nov 28th - 16:09pm | Anonymous

Sorry Brian, I see only talking points and welfare in your post.  Sounds increasingly laughable in today's reality.  See the article posting Kurt just shut down to get a more complete response to "tax breaks to billionaires."  The parties are upside down now as to perceptions and reality.  I'm done.

Nov 28th - 15:55pm | Brian Daniher

So I assume you would rather have the economy provide subsidies to oil companies and tax breaks to billionaires than save the world? And I am sure we can find a way to help the unemployed in the parks without undermining their natural integrity.

Nov 28th - 09:33am | Anonymous

You are assuming, Brian, the "new normal" is only temporary which I'd like to believe. However many, particularly in one segment on one side of the isle have been working hard for this kind of hope and change and require it (this economy) to continue to save the world is what I get out of their actions.  Smartest and brightest, I don't think so.  

Nov 27th - 18:52pm | Brian Daniher

Anon, if you're comparing umenployment and wilderness designation, keep in mind that a person's unemployment is temporary, but the destruction of our few remaining wild lands is permanent.

Nov 27th - 15:49pm | Anonymous

Hey Better, oh, but it is!  Not necessarily for me and apparently not for you (one can't always tell).  If you and others so fixated on your own deals would encourage the sector that provides the tax dollars to maintain the parks you might get some sympathy from me.  Just seems pretty selfish to support one and not the other.  We're all in this together would be a better approach.

Nov 27th - 14:41pm | we need to do b...

Nobody's going to have a job if the ecosystem that supports us keeps disappearing. Quit talking about your wallet. It's not the most important part of the equation.

Nov 27th - 11:45am | Anonymous

How about being more careing for those masses that are unemployed.  At least waive their camp site fees (pittance of consideration).

Nov 27th - 10:30am | we need to do b...

The goal of every congress, Republican or Democrat, seems to be to hand out pittances to constituencies. It's like government is handing out candy bars, one at a time, to starving homeless people.

Fears Rise That Congress Could Open More Units Of National Park System to Hunting

Nov 28th - 18:04pm | Kurt Repanshek

You didn't get my slow elk allusion?;-)

Nov 28th - 17:59pm | Anonymous

You didn't get my John Muir allusion?  Awww.  Also Edward Abbey.  (Hooved locusts are sheep.)

Nov 28th - 17:20pm | Kurt Repanshek

You mean slow elk?

Nov 28th - 17:17pm | Anonymous

Are sacred cows and hooved locusts fair game?

High Water Table, Wetlands Causing Flooding At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Nov 28th - 15:03pm | SS1

samsdad1

Nov 28th - 12:08pm | samsdad1

Though the water is only inches deep please get a flat tire, then proceed to drop a lugnut into it causing you to have to reach in and look for it not knowing that by doing so you are endangering your life...

Nov 28th - 07:28am | SS1

From my observations, (over 50 years) this entire area is normally seasonally wet during the fall and winter. I recently drove through this area  (11/27) and the water in the road was no more than a few inches deep and posing no problem to numerous vehicles that were accessing ramp 43 and 44. Migratory waterfowl were present in the area.

Family of Man Killed By Mountain Goat in Olympic National Park Sues National Park Service

Nov 28th - 14:17pm | David Crowl

I understand if you have a sign reading "beware vicious dog" you are admitting to have a vicious dog and could be sued by someone who is injured by your dog. Does this apply to the park service? Maybe...they are responsible to managing aspects of the park. They may lose in court. Settling out of court may be cheaper. I hate seeing our parks losing money they do not have.

Budgeting Woes Likely To Hit The National Park Service

Nov 28th - 13:34pm | Kurt Repanshek

OK folks, enough thread drift. We're shutting off the comments to this post as they're veering too far away from the issue at hand and getting too partisan.

Nov 28th - 13:25pm | Anonymous

Well Rick B, when the Party of Yes is the Party of Corzine of bankrupt MF Global and the missing $1.2 Billion of investor funds who a bragging VP Bieden preened that the administration went to him first to solve the country's economic problems.  This is not the exception here, Rick, it's the pattern.

Nov 28th - 10:35am | Rick B.

Well, perhaps the openly avowed and easily seen stance of the "loyal opposition" that they will just say no and totally shank the country if that is what it takes to defeat the sitting President? I too, wish I could only plant a seed of understanding.

Nov 27th - 21:44pm | Anonymous

not that anon:  Look deep and answer me the question why the President and the Democratic Congress have not passed a budget (Dem. House, Senate, White House for two years)?  I mean motivations here and not the public consumption lingo (Bush's fault or something similar).

Nov 27th - 17:39pm | not that anon

Anon at 12:36 - don't know which Constitution you go by but the U.S. Constitution clearly places the responsibility of passing a budget on the U.S. Congress - not on the President. The President only proposes a budget - which President Obama has never failed to do - and on time.

Nov 26th - 13:36pm | Anonymous

They might fall over dead of shock if there ever is one submitted.  I could be wrong but there hasn't been a budget since he (OB) came into office .  Supposed to part of the job he isn't doing according to the constitution.

Nov 26th - 12:41pm | ecbuck

Coyote, I would love to see your math.  Tax receipts in the year of the tax rate cuts were 1.8 trillion.  5 years later, they were 2.5 trillion.  Can you explain to me how that equates to a decrease in revenue?

Nov 26th - 11:16am | Anonymous

Anon: If you have a Cancer it's usually preferably to cut it out.  The images of these Black Friday Shoppers come to mind.  Just imagine what it'd be like if they were spending other peoples money.  I guess we know that already, don't we.

Nov 26th - 10:59am | Lee Dalton

Thanks, Hopeful.  If we don't humble ourselve voluntarily, it will be done for us.  And when that happens, it ain't a-gonna be nice. Trouble is, the ones who cause the collapse will probably weather it just fine because they have enough wealth behind them.  But for the rest of us . . . .

Counting Cacti At Saguaro National Park

Nov 28th - 11:09am | Dick G.

Has anybody been able to determine exactly why there is such a decline??

Popular Swimming Area At Capitol Reef National Park Closed Due To Dangerous Conditions

Nov 28th - 10:54am | Roma

Dear Lady Ranger I have in my hands a letter from the Park it says that there has not been a broken bone at the waterfall since 7/19/2007 case #07/0062 broken ankle.  The Park records only have on record 7 broken boons at the waterfall since 1996-2011.

Pruning the Parks: Castle Pinckney National Monument (1933-1956)

Nov 27th - 09:55am | Bob Janiskee

I'm not sure how one goes about getting permission to visit Castle Pinckney.  You might try checking with the owner, the South Carolina State Ports Authority.  

Nov 27th - 07:51am | Anonymous

How does one get a permit to visit the old castle.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

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.