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Reader Participation Day: How Many National Parks Do You Want To Visit In Your Lifetime?

Nov 11th - 13:36pm | Anonymous

Of the 58 national parks, I have 7 left to visit.  Visiting all of the parks has been a life time goal, to be completed in the next couple of years.  Why not visit all of these parks?  They are in wonderful places, force you to see America, and make you appreciate nature.  I just visited Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, and Big Bend.  Try walking down the natural entrance in the caverns w

Updated: Report Details How Corporate Pressure Seemingly Derailed Plans For a Plastic Bottle Ban at Grand Canyon National Park

Nov 11th - 13:14pm | Lee Dalton

ec -- I'm not in any way trying to "force" anyone.  And, like most other Occupiers, I'm also not anti-bank, anti-corporation, or anti-oil.  I chose not to buy bottled water, but recognize it's up to others to make their own choices.  Although more than once when I've mentioned the cost of bottled water, I've had people suddenly become aware of how much it really costs. 

Nov 11th - 12:46pm | Owen Hoffman

I personally see nothing wrong about the NPS banning the sale of drinks contained in plastic bottles by stores inside the Grand Canyon.  It's the mission of the NPS to protect and preserve resources, and if it's determined that litter created by plastic bottles has become a problem, one way to reduce this litter is to ban the sale of this product inside the parks.  Such programs have already be

Nov 11th - 12:08pm | ecbuck

Lee -  If you don't find value in bottled water then so be it.  Don't buy it.  But quit trying to force everyone else to do what you want rather than what they want.  And if you are so anti banks, corporations, oil companies or what ever you Occupiers are railing against stop buying their products.  I'm sure they won't miss you.

Nov 11th - 10:08am | y_p_w

I think paying for bottled water is a choice. I'm trying to cut back when I don't absolutely need it. I have a reusable bottle that I take to work, and I almost always drink out a reusable bottle on the trail. However, I do put packaged bottled water in my car and keep some around to share and might stash a few bottles in my pack. I also tend to reuse a lot of bottles.

Nov 11th - 08:24am | Lee Dalton

I don't mean to insult Julie, but I really have to wonder about the wisdom level of people who are willing to waste (and I do mean to say waste) their money on bottled water when we can all open a faucet and fill a bottle with pure water.  Pure water that was provided by EPA laws -- that some people hate.  Pure water that millions of people in other lands are dying because they don

Nov 11th - 00:40am | y_p_w

Gaelyn: One of the problems is recycling the plastic bottles. No one really wants the stuff and it ends up costing NPS to get rid of it appropriately.

Nov 10th - 23:39pm | Rick B.

Perhaps, Julie, because often bottled water is only tap water put in a bottle? Most municipal water in the US is as safe as bottled water, but at much less of a price to produce and consume?

Nov 10th - 21:56pm | Anonymous

Personally, having been a presenter of several issues of concern directed at NPS, serious issues I believe, I do not feel comfortable throwing Superintendent Ubureauga into the same pot that I know others belong.  I just don't.  I have other reasons but the home assessed value versus selling price differential, even after the crash I sold property for twice the assessed value.

Nov 10th - 21:17pm | Julie

I'm glad Coke raised the issue and there doesn't appear to be any wrong done here.  I don't drink out of the faucet at home - I only drink bottled water - why would I want to drink out of a faucet in a national park or a bathroom, as suggested above?  Water supply stations are helpful but that should not be the only water source.

Nov 10th - 20:43pm | Anonymous

Capitalizing 'vast' don't make it so.

Nov 10th - 20:07pm | ecbuck

Owen - that is the beauty of America.  If you don't want to buy Coca Cola products - then don't buy them.  Boycott.  We won't force your to buy them.  If enough people agree with you - KO will change their practices.  But, the fact is that the VAST majority of people don't agree with you.  Don't force your opinion on the rest of us.

Nov 10th - 18:55pm | Misplaced Anger

Coca-Cola is not the problem - its poor NPS leadership.  In this case, the buck stops with NPS Director Jarvis.  He made the call to stand the program down, obviously feeling the pressure of incredible wealth and power from an influential corporate donor and "partner."  This incident, as well as, the interference with

Nov 10th - 15:24pm | Owen Hoffman

Boycott Coca Cola!  Corporations, regardless of the amount of their philanthropic contributions, should not have a major influence on the management of our national parks.  This is upsetting news. Ban the damned bottles.    

Nov 10th - 14:09pm | RangerLady

I would be more impressed if the NPS stopped their concessionaires from using plastic forks, knives, etc. I saw so much plasticware tossed about on the south rim and it was all stuff handed out by concessions. It really doesn't cost that much extra to use cornmeal based products that biodegrade.Of course I would also like to see all vending machines dissapear.

Nov 10th - 13:01pm | Rick B.

I'm a strong fan of both Director Jarvis and of the NPS in general, but this is a sad and disappointing report.

Nov 10th - 12:07pm | Anonymous

If banning isn't going to happen, then at least add a large, per bottle, deposit to encourage people to pick them up.  The damages to the Earth that these things are responsible for is a problem that will take a more concerted effort beyond the National Parks.  But a 25 cent per bottle deposit will at least keep the Park cleaner.  Although I'm sure, Coke will veto that as well.

Nov 10th - 11:45am | k d g

Follow the money, that usually explains it /review/2011/backpack-grand-canyon8973

Nov 10th - 11:14am | Michael Mariant

"...a bunch of recyclable bottles, buy water outside the park and fill them?" Not sure if you read the story completely, as it spells out all the locations that waters spigots for refilling water bottles are located, including the new ones that were built as well as the ones that the park concessionaires installed in all of their facilities.

Nov 10th - 11:01am | Ryan

If you cannot find a source of water other than a plastic bottle of water, then please stay in your home.  Plastic bottles are a scourge placed upon this planet by greedly profiteers.  Recycling the bottles is not the answer, banning them is.

Nov 10th - 10:55am | Gaelyn

One of the problems is recycling the plastic bottles. No one really wants the stuff and it ends up costing NPS to get rid of it appropriately. Water sold in bottles was still available on the North Rim this last summer in the Deli. Yet I saw a lot of people taking advantage of the new "spring water" dispensers. It's good water.

Nov 10th - 10:25am | Lee Dalton

Zion has a fine approach.  At several places around the park you can find water bottle filling stations with interpretive signs explaining the environmental costs of disposable bottles.  There were no water vending machines there.  (And I hope this is still true.)

Nov 10th - 09:52am | Anonymous

Isn't there a better way to solve the problem than banning water bottles in the desert?  How about invest in a recycling program instead?  I mean, what are hikers supposed to do for water, especially non-serious hikers?  Invest $100 for a water backpack or a bunch of recyclable bottles, buy water outside the park and fill them?  So, I couldn't go into a store on either rim and buy a bottle of w

Nov 10th - 09:25am | Anonymous

Interesting. It seems that Jon Jarvis’s hand is frequently seen near the cookie jar. /2011/10/national-park-superintendent-and-his-questionable-real-estate-deal8860

Nov 10th - 09:20am | Anonymous

Would hate to see people gample on their health by making a choice not to buy water instead of spening $10 on a reuable bottle.  Also, keep in mind that the small plastic bottles out of a machine are reusable.

How Much Did Those New Units Of The National Park System Cost You?

Nov 11th - 12:58pm | Trend

It is sad that saving something so beautiful as these National Parks for everyone comes down to a matter of money

Nov 11th - 06:16am | Uneducated masses

How about the things we do like and wish to improve?

Nov 10th - 23:24pm | Anonymous

Hey anon, Wouldn't it be cool if everything we didn't like seceded from the Union?

Nov 10th - 17:05pm | Anonymous

So wouldn't it be cool for the National Parks to just secede from the Union and become the United National Parks and pay for their needs from tourist dollars and contributors only? Kind of pay as you go and leave those without interest in the way the Parks are managed, alone and not required to fund operations that they have no say in.

Nov 10th - 16:40pm | Rick B.

Hmmm. "...locking up the resources in these newly protected lands...". Right from the pen of Paul Hoffman. Parks are SUPPOSED to lock up resources, views, wildlife, EVERYthing, for the future. Not consume them and move on.

Nov 10th - 15:57pm | Anonymous

Anon wrote, " And what does it cost us by the locking up of the resources in these newly protected lands."   I'm guessing the costs are more than offset by the economic impact of tourism as well as the value of the experience."

Nov 10th - 13:27pm | Anonymous

The real question is how much does it take away from the existing units by adding so many more by executive fiat when only so much money is availble for the whole system. And what does it cost us by the locking up of the resources in these newly protected lands.

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

Nov 11th - 12:51pm | samsdad1

Try this link for an update. http://wheatseyeonhatterasislandnc.blogspot.com/2011/11/update-on-floodi...

Hiking the Appalachian National Scenic Trail: It Takes More Heart than Heel

Nov 11th - 12:22pm | Sharkey!

Thank you for this great article. I've read a million AT articles over the years and this one was clear, concise, and accurate. Well written and excellent sourses. I talked to Laurie Potteiger on the phone 20 years ago asking if I should do a SOBO or NOBO since I couldn't start until May 1992. Sharkey! GAME92, GAPA08, GAGA12?

Nature Notes: The Black Oaks Of Yosemite National Park, The Video

Nov 11th - 09:22am | Lee Dalton

Steve Baumgardner's videos are always awesome.  Thank you Steve, and thank you NPT for sharing them with us.

NPCA Report Paints Somber Portrait Of An Underfunded National Park Service

Nov 11th - 09:08am | Lee Dalton

In WWII, the parks took their hits along with everyone else.  But now, in an age of enormous corporate kick-backs and tax breaks and subsidies, the playing field is no longer level. One day of the cost of funding the Iraq war would have paid for a few years of operating parks.  So would a few months worth of corporate subsidies.

Nov 11th - 08:25am | Anonymous

Wonder what the tone for priority funding for NPS was during WWII.  Was everyone together in fending off the shared threats or was NPS elevated to a priority over the war machine that liberated the world.  From my view the threats today are every bit as serious, more really because the culture has declined in character and more about me, me, me.  Far worse now, I believe.

Nov 11th - 08:02am | Lee Dalton

Sad indeed, but is it really much different than it always has been? National Parks have always been chronically underfunded.  While the current underfunding -- and foreseeable future, too -- may be the worst in a long time, the parks have always seemed to be the poor stepchildren of the United States.

Nov 11th - 07:12am | Danny Bernstein

What a sad situation. The national parks depend on the taxpayer, even as more and more money are coming from Friends groups. Also, the thousands of volunteers work hard to fill in, where park staff is not available. Still the primary source of funding has to be us - the taxpayer. Ultimately, we, the people, are responsible for the folks we send to Washington.

Camping and Woodcraft by Horace Kephart

Nov 10th - 21:04pm | Susan Simpson

Like the book it's about, this review is comprehensive and engaging.

As A Federal Agent, Carter Niemeyer Killed Wolves For A Living

Nov 10th - 18:23pm | Anonymous

To the anti-wolf crowd, it matters little what the science behind the wolf reintroduction says.  It matters little what the "boots on the ground"  investigations of the livestock and elk depridations say.  It matters little what the truth is about wolves and a balanced ecosystem.

National Park Mystery Photo 38: Not an Ordinary Donkey

Nov 10th - 16:25pm | Bob Janiskee

You're in the right ballpark, Lindsey.

Nov 10th - 13:55pm | Lindsey

My guess is Yellowstone.  I remember hearing about people throwing their toys into something, which caused it to be covered in hard surface.  Need help filling in the blanks in my memory.

Groups Sue To Overturn Removal of Greater Yellowstone Wolves from Endangered Species List

Nov 10th - 16:15pm | Anonymous

And to think them thar cowpokes are outsmarting you.  Go figure?

Reader Participation Day: Should Economics Be Considered When Adding Units To The National Park System?

Nov 10th - 11:05am | Anonymous

Anon 10:26: "Will NPS ever receive a budget to continue adding parks without doing other parks dirty."   The answer to your question that came to my mind is that it will never happen as long as NPS has the attitude that Anon 3:05 expressed.   Gods above the realities of today, they aren't, although many would disagree. 

Nov 9th - 23:26pm | Anonymous

How much more deferred maintenance of buildings and structures can the NPS assume just to satisfy pork belly projects?  The new areas NPS gathers into its fold cost money to maintain.  Will NPS ever recieve a budget to continue adding parks without doing other parks dirty.

National Park Mystery Photo 38 Revealed: A Very Special White Crust

Nov 10th - 08:27am | Bob Janiskee

If it gives you any comfort, ed 1-2-3, none of the other Traveler readers who struggled with this one did any better than you. 

Nov 10th - 07:33am | ed-123

Wow, I wasn't even close

Updated: The National Park Foundation And The Special "National Parks Edition" Toyota FJ Cruiser

Nov 10th - 03:29am | Anonymous

Great vehicle it has the sporty features of my dream SUV

October Visitation To Yellowstone National Park Was Good, But Not Record-Setting

Nov 9th - 22:19pm | Anonymous

This begs the question--is "record setting" monthly attendance a good thing??

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

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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.