| Page 1054 | National Parks Traveler

How about encouraging the economy to prosper with the resultant increase of revenues to small/ large businesses and tax revenues to the government where most of NPS funding comes from. Kind of a novel idea. What makes it a moneymaker for concessionaires to contract international employees when we have 18% real unemployment right here??

Oct 17th - 18:09pm | Anonymous

National Park Service Taking Public Comment on Proposal For Cesar Chavez Unit Of the Park System

Oct 18th - 14:59pm | Thomas Guzowski

Any person who dedicates their life to end poverty for others is worth recognition! What better way to keep the history of our country for decades of people to remember than through the park service!

Oct 17th - 13:26pm | native californian

The navy already named a ship after him, that's enough.

Obama Administration Cites 5-Year-Old Study To Tout Value of America's Great Outdoors

Oct 18th - 14:27pm | Stjen981

I worked in YNP for Xanterra during the summer of 2005, in food & beverage. I was lucky enough to get a management position, but even that was not well-paid. All seasonal employees are required to live on-site and have their room and board automatically deducted from their paychecks. During the beginning of the summer, there are more employees than shifts available, so even someone worki

Oct 15th - 14:49pm | y_p_w

I've seen different things. Of course a lot of retired folks serve as camp hosts at various NPS campgrounds. I've seen retired folks working the dining rooms. There was one particular guy from Florida (nice Southern drawl) who was fun-loving and remembered us when we went back for breakfast at the Canyon soda fountain at Yellowstone.

Oct 15th - 14:08pm | anonymous

I need to add that there are many retired people and others that seem to do quite well and very much enjoy the opportunity to work and live in the parks often transferring from one park after another experiencing the parks and adding to the guest experience. Some tire of the of short term attitude that pervades, however.

Oct 15th - 13:12pm | Anonymous

The way it plays out Lee is worse than you describe. With the international employment contracts in effect with lower visitation to the Parks and resultant less work available, the Internationals get preference over residents (US Citizens) in hours worked.

Oct 15th - 11:08am | Lee Dalton

While this may be a fine way to acquaint young people from other countries with Americans -- hopefully they will return home to spread the word that not all Americans are evil -- I can also see a couple of potential downsides.

Wolf Looking For Human Handouts Euthanized By Yellowstone National Park Staff

Oct 18th - 14:02pm | Kathy Dimont

For those who think that rangers euthanize for thrills: go watch them cry and lose sleep afterward. They loathe this part of the job. Would you have them wait until the wolf took a small child? Because eventually it probably would. And THAT would lose the good will of nearly all supporters of wolf reintroduction.

Oct 15th - 12:37pm | Anonymous

Well, since YELL visitation is waning and heavy snows arriving,, why not just wait to learn how this animal will fare following the winter and spring ? The view & decision that NPS armed rangers need some excitement during their days of bison/bear jams by killing a species their former rangers made extinct when proud

Oct 15th - 10:58am | Lee Dalton

Dawn, please tell us exactly what other options were available?

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

Oct 18th - 13:14pm | Lee Dalton

This has turned into an interesting line of comments. But one thing is being missed here -- no matter how many warning signs a park may install -- and no matter how hard they try to advise visitors to be careful -- someone will get hurt and sue.

Oct 18th - 12:52pm | Anonymous

Taralyn Howard, so, let's say I am a "peep of the Park" and did tack my name up. What would be your guess as to how my career would go after voicing some concerns about Park Policy? Do you really believe that ALL NPS are pure as the wind driven snow and not more concerned with making their own needs, desires and politics, a priority?

Oct 18th - 12:29pm | Taralyn Howard

Are all the Anonymous comments coming from people of the Park???? No one seems to want to let anyone know who they are talking to.... I'm not afraid of my name looks like you are???

Oct 18th - 12:23pm | Taralyn Howard

Yes it is getting attention because of that - however - how about not hiding your name and tell us who you are??? When people are discussing issues it's nice to know who you are dealing with.. Taralyn Howard

Oct 18th - 11:02am | Anonymous

A bit strident, Anon. Wonder if it comes out when you are among the commoners:).

Oct 18th - 09:55am | Anonymous

"...and one of the good things we got out of that was a waterfall where we can go and have fun." Right...because the rest of the park isn't fun. You apparently can only have fun in water highly contaminated with fecal matter and other agricultural waste. If that's the only way you can have fun in a national park, then stay at home.

Oct 17th - 20:43pm | Roma D. Roderick

I would like to tell you about swimming at the falls. This year on July 4, 2011 I went to the waterfall with four kids one 11,13, 14 and one 16 years old. We were there from 1:00 - 4:30. While we were there there were aout 40 - 50 people that came and went. They were jumping and swimming for about 2 hours when a ranger came.

Oct 17th - 14:42pm | anonymous

Rick B, how many times is policy changed with supportive PR wording masking ulterior motives to arrive at the "preferred alternative?" When one's seen it in action it's easy to affirm the paranoid's getting it right enough to question.

Oct 17th - 13:15pm | Rick B.

And that's a simple and understandable real world answer, Ranger Lady. Sorry to disappoint the conspiracy theorists.

Oct 17th - 09:07am | RangerLady

Opps...I was anon@9:33pm. I didn't notice I had been logged out.

Oct 16th - 22:33pm | Anonymous

Because I do not have the dates memorized, I would have to read files that I do not have the authority to access. After seeing no less than 4 accidents at that waterfall ever summer, it's a little hard to remember all the dates.

Oct 16th - 22:02pm | anonymous

Yes, Matt and Dottie, transparency has taken a back seat across the board in this environment. The public message is pretty much all produced in ways that most of us haven't imagined. A wrong word can ruin a career.

Oct 16th - 11:01am | Matt M.

Here's a second to Dottie's question - why does one need "authority" to give out dates of accidents in the park? I can understand not releasing names of those involved, but I don't see the harm in saying when they happened.

Oct 15th - 09:52am | Dottie

RangerLady - just curious as to why you don't have the authority, or why you even need the authority, to give out the dates of the accidents mentioned in your Comment.

Oct 14th - 19:43pm | y_p_w

Anonymous: Natural areas within National Parks usually are not closed, but the waterfall at Capitol Reef is man-made. It doesn't belong in the first place and, besides being dangerous, is causing a lot of ecological issues.

Oct 14th - 18:47pm | Anonymous

Natural areas within National Parks usually are not closed, but the waterfall at Capitol Reef is man-made. It doesn't belong in the first place and, besides being dangerous, is causing a lot of ecological issues.

How Many Elk Does it Take to Make a Jam?

Oct 18th - 11:24am | Kevin M

Great article. Had a good laugh at the end of the story. Whenever we have gone to the Smokies, we have stayed in Gatlinburg. It seems like 99% of visitors have no interest in the park or animals, just miniature golf and buckets of ice cream!

Oct 18th - 11:20am | Danny Bernstein

It is a wonderful sight. I love the rut every year. Danny Bernstein www.hikertohiker.com

Oct 18th - 09:36am | Deborah

Been there and done that. We were camped in Gatlinburg but it was well worth the trip to go see these magnificiant animals. And our grandchildren got to hold antlers that were bigger then they were. We had a great time. Oh and thanks to the volunteers that were there to tell us about the herd.

Backroads and Byways – Balsam Mountain Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oct 18th - 11:22am | Danny Bernstein

It's a lovely backroad. I'm so glad you got to experience it. Danny Bernstein www.hikertohiker.com

Joan Anzelmo, After a Long National Park Service Career, Honored By NPCA

Oct 17th - 22:20pm | y_p_w

Rick Smith: One more thing:

Oct 17th - 21:40pm | Rick Smith

One more thing:

Oct 17th - 21:29pm | Lee Dalton

Here is a link to the letter signed by Supt. Anzelmo denying permission for the race. It was found by Googling "nps special use colorado national monument." Anyone questioning the rationale for denying the race should read it carefully. It spells out in specific detail the reasons for denial.

Oct 17th - 18:49pm | Anonymous

Additional reference to this discussion:

Oct 17th - 18:24pm | Anonymous

So, what is there here specifically in writing that an NPS Superintendent cannot allow ? or modify for a short-term activity to promote interest in defending the values and integrity of public lands. Title 36: Parks, Forests, and Public Property CHAPTER I: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PART 4: VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC SAFETY

Oct 17th - 17:34pm | Reality Check

"Occupy" might be a better pen name for your anonymous friend, Rick.

Oct 17th - 17:33pm | Lee Dalton

Rick, I'm sure we could just follow the money. These people probably had some dollars to gain from it and are sore because their wallets didn't get any fatter. We had "professional" bike race in the city where I live and it was a collossal mess. Traffic was completely tied up for hours. Businesseses that were along the route literally had to close down.

Oct 17th - 16:22pm | Rick Smith

I am disappointed to see that the negative commenters on Joan's award are hiding behind anonymity. The professional bike race was clearly contrary to National Park Service policy and in violation of Title 36 of the Code of Federal regulations. Joan made the only decision she could make and still maintain her integrity. I am proud of her.

Oct 17th - 14:46pm | Anonymous

The DENIED Bike Race Example is the fascist element promoted within NPS Law Enforcement ranks whether it be harassing amateur photographers, killing predators as a media event, or any NPS Management behavior to demonstrate "Command/Control" to earn future promotional

Oct 17th - 10:08am | Anonymous

I find the awarding of Ms. Anzelmo the Mather Award appauling. The major reason cited was her closing the monument to a proffesional bike race, even though this route was used for over 10 years in the 70-80's for a proffesional bike race.

Oct 17th - 10:03am | Anonymous

To be rewarded for denying a bike race, and "the backbone she displayed in that matter," is a too bad. The race would have been a great thing for the National Park Service, the Monument and Grand Junction. Remember, part of the mission of the NPS is to promote the use of the parks; Shame on Anzelmo for a lack of vision, courage or both.

Oct 17th - 09:24am | Janes

I know from experience the joy of working with public affairs peeps who bring pride and excellence to their work. It makes our jobs as reports so much easier. Kudos to Anzelmo on her impressive career, the Park system needs more advocates like her.

"Red Tide" Prompts Visitor Advisory at Padre Island National Seashore

Oct 17th - 07:35am | Anonymous

Wife and I were on SPI this Sunday and werent aware of RT till we heard about it later at a Cafe. We had got out of car off Access #5 and had immediate coughing, sneezing, watering eyes. many species of dead fish along beach, largest numbers seemed to a a small fry , maybe 2-3 " in length. Inside car with AC on or buildings wasnt bad, just along beach.

NPS Steps In to Keep Three California State Parks Open in 2012

Oct 16th - 21:13pm | Sabattis

Bluffs Lodge Along The Blue Ridge Parkway Shuttered For 2011

Oct 15th - 07:19am | elwayno

The stimulus money at work program is the reason for the closure of the BRP in Doughton Park, NC. The lay off of all the employees of the Bluff Cafe, Lodge, closing access to trail heads , all to rebuild the stone guard rails. The original guard rails were built by the labor of skilled workman, no cement. All they need ed was maintenance to correct damage from sevral years of abuse.

Public Access To Santa Rosa Island At Channel Islands National Park To Be Restricted For Deer, Elk Hunt

Oct 15th - 02:41am | Anonymous

This final hunt is one of the cruelest things I have heard of in my life. Human genocide is intolerable. We as a species are not evolved until we understand that animal life is sacred as is ours. Environmentalists need to know that the environment has been changed once we introduced a species there, and now their lives are intertwined with the environment as well. Good God, most of our ance

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