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Issue Of Climbing Fees At Denali National Park Raises Questions Of Fee Equity

Mar 7th - 11:54am | tomp2

Inquiring Mind-- You can find the answer to your question at: http://www.opm.gov/ses/performance/benefits.asp I'm not now and never will be SES, so I'm not motivated enough to look it up.

Mar 7th - 11:13am | Matt Stubbs

Though I agree on the climber fees as they are participating in an activity that DOES require special preparations to the park personnel and systems. As far as the SAR maybe an insurance policy purchased by the climber that has a substantial deductible.

Mar 6th - 22:49pm | That Guy

In Arizona we have numerous flash floods in the lower valley areas each year. This produces many washes which cross many roads. Most are marked year round with signs saying don’t enter when flooded and usually during the flooding the roads are closed by signs and barricades. Time and again many people foolishly drive their vehicles into these washes, get stuck, and require rescue.

Mar 6th - 21:33pm | Inquiring mind

What exactly is the benefit schedule for Senior Executive Service Employees in NPS, including their retirement benefits? Just wondering about the bigger picture when services and access are being either eliminated or drastically reduced. Seems like an appropriate question.

Mar 6th - 20:21pm | y_p_w

My understanding of SAR in most parts of California is that they're varied in who joins. When I've heard of SAR efforts in California national parks, the personnel have included NPS personnel, local law enforcement, and trained civilians.

Mar 6th - 19:24pm | toothdoctor

To Mr.

Mar 6th - 18:22pm | Chip

Your comparison of SAR to fire and police protection is totally invalid: 1) we DO pay for fire and police through our taxes and 2) that protection and services are there for everyone, not just the 'elite' who think being being rescued is a "right"!

Mar 6th - 17:17pm | Anonymous

Charlie, Very astute points! While I am very much in favor of the cost recovery, some of the points made by DENA officials are not valid. Mount Rainier National Park has between 8,000 and 10,000 climbers a year and a roughly 1.8 million visitors to which comes out to be 1/2 of 1 percent, give or take a few 1/10ths of a percent depending on the year.

Mar 6th - 16:53pm | dennis p lima

I'll just echo what others have written. We've gotten so use to things being "free" or heavily subsidized. Paying what things actually cost is something all of us, including myself, will need to get used to. We can't just keep on letting someone else pay for things.

Mar 6th - 15:57pm | Anonymous

So just curious, but what if I wanted to go climb another mountain in alaska outside of Denali. Would I have to pay the state of alaska any money to climb that mountain?? What does the state provide as far as SAR response for these other peaks??

Mar 6th - 15:11pm | Charlie

I don't think "fee equity" is really the issue here as the article title states. The problem really is increasing costs for visitors to access national parks generally. If the national parks are to remain shared places, where we all can connect with our natural and cultural heritage, they must be free or inexpensive to visit.

Mar 6th - 14:56pm | Marjorie

One of the issues considered by the Park Service, here and in other parks, is this: once climbers/hikers have paid extra for their permit to support rescues, will they then tell themselves, "I paid my $500 and I'm too tired to walk out. So I'll fake an injury and call for help".

Mar 6th - 12:29pm | Chip

I agree with JT about the allocation of costs. The folks who benefit from the program should pay the cost of the program. Why would it be reasonable to charge 99.5% of the visitors an increased fee just to help .5% of the folks?

Mar 6th - 10:00am | Me

Removal of the Kahiltna, Ranger and High basecamps ought to cut the cost's substantially.

Mar 6th - 07:00am | jt

Like everything in this country we, as a society, want to do anything we please and then expect everyone elso to pay the cost. It seems only fair to me that the actual climbers pay the expense of the service and I feel they should also be charged for any additional costs of a rescue they may require. Why should all other visitors be expected to pay for the fun of the few climbers.

Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, National Parks Conservation Association Oppose Bike Race At Colorado National Monument

Mar 7th - 11:53am | Bil Danielson

I don't have a big problem with not allowing the race to roll through the monument, and for the record I have ridden there. But if the permit denial is sustained, I would hope that for all time any other application for any other event will be similarly banned - regardless its perceived benefits to whomever.

Mar 7th - 09:33am | Jill

I hope the Coalition and Association get a better response from Senator Udall and Governor Hickenlooper than I did after sending my emails. The response I received was......uh, wait......do I hear crickets chirping?

Give Us A National Park, But Please, Not Its Regulations

Mar 7th - 11:46am | Matt Stubbs

"Matt and Ron most likely are members or supporters of 3 extreme special interest groups who have had considerable input concerning ORV access in Cape Hatteras National Seashore." Answer NOPE I simply like taking my family to a secluded beach and get away from it all. "The 3 groups were all represented in the failed attempt at negotiated rulemaking. "

Mar 6th - 15:30pm | Ron Saunders

SS1

Mar 6th - 11:42am | Southern Shores 1

Ryan and y p w excuse me from jumping in on this forum to address both Matt Stubs and Ron comments on ORV controversy here at CHNS.

Mar 4th - 11:28am | Matt Stubbs

I used special interest groups to differ them from the NPS on who makes the rules and when. It helps not having to list all of them each time. All of you cannot wait to jump on someone to input your view on their words just as you accuse others of. Spin as you will.

Mar 4th - 08:08am | OBXer

ORV access at Cape Hatteras was only threatened because for nearly 40 years the NPS had not developed and implemented an ORV management plan as was required by an Executive Order issued by Richard Nixon, if the Seashore, or any NPS area was to allow ORV use. Legally, Executive Orders are law. Basically, without an ORV management plan, ORV use in any NPS area is illegal.

Mar 3rd - 23:43pm | y_p_w

justinh: Are ORV advocates not a special interest? What exactly defines a "special interest" here? I guess the informal definition of "special interest" is "a group that lobbies for something that I don't agree with". A group that does agree with one's views is a "just cause". ;)

Mar 3rd - 21:27pm | Lee Dalton

Thank you, Mark Bohrer (not verified) on March 3, 2011 - 11:37am for an excellent and thoughtful post here.

Mar 3rd - 16:12pm | justinh

Are ORV advocates not a special interest? What exactly defines a "special interest" here?

Mar 3rd - 14:57pm | Matt Stubbs

YPW I am for regulated ORV use in the National Park Systems in fact I supported the Interim plan that was fair and reasonable. That was until the park was sued by special interest groups in an attempt to completely shut down ORV use until a plan that fit the special interest groups agenda was drawn up.

Mar 3rd - 14:05pm | Julie Trevelyan

Fascinating comments here, as usual. :)

Mar 3rd - 13:31pm | y_p_w

Kurt Repanshek: There are other instances, but hopefully these will address your question.

Mar 3rd - 12:58pm | Kurt Repanshek

Matt, regarding environmental studies and roads, there have been quite a few over the years. One back in 2006 was done on a road in North Cascades National Park. /2009/10/house-passes-legislation-could-lead-national-park-service-rebuild-road-north-cascades-national-park4826

Several Hundred Bison Hazed Into Capture Facility At Yellowstone National Park

Mar 7th - 11:25am | Kris

It is obvious that something needs to be done about the bison. Right now, they are thought of as livestock and a threat more than as a native species. I think that the brucellosis issue is taking the focus away from the really problem. Brucellosis appears to be under control. Even though bison transferring the disease to cows is not unheard of, it is very unlikely.

Rangers Catch Snowmobilers Riding Illegally in Yellowstone National Park's Backcountry

Mar 7th - 10:52am | Wingnut

Why don't they mark the border better, how is a biler suppose to know where the border is? at some points there is a an orange piece of metal nailed to a tree, but what does that mean? Furthermore, it has been proven that those snowcoaches pollute 10X worse then modern sleds that meet or exceeds epa requirements.

National Park Service Rolling Out 5-Year Plan to Commemorate 150th Anniversary of Civil War

Mar 6th - 03:18am | Leon Brooks

If there is anything that should be hoped for, it is that this celebration, unlike the one in the 60's and before, commemorates the contributions and sacrifice of United States Colored Troops - true freedom fighters.

Mar 4th - 22:59pm | Anonymous

The NPS History e-Library also has electronic editions of Eastern National's 26-volume Civil War Series at: http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/civil_war_series/

Mar 4th - 15:40pm | Laidlaw

Some friends are working on a film to be released at the beginning of this 5-year celebration, check out the trailer for "47 Miles: March to Destiny" at http://mountainhousefilms.com ! --Mark

Mar 4th - 15:15pm | Rick B.

Man, Anonymous, what 150 years difference makes. From 'saving the union and freeing the slaves' to 'lol'. Sheesh. I'm glad to hear that Director Jarvis is pushing this effort. He said that he wants the NPS to be 'relevant', and looking at the lessons of the Civil War leading on up to the present is definitely relevant. We can do a lot more than just preserve battlefields.

Mar 4th - 13:45pm | Anonymous

Lets hope The War of Northern Aggression is portrayed in a fair and balanced way and not only from the viewpoint on the Barbarian Yankees!!!LOL

Mar 4th - 12:33pm | Matt W

The NPS and the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands have just released a free course for interpreters titled "Causes of the Civil War". The course is open to the public and can be found here: http://eppley.org/elearning/interpretation-1/civil-war

The National Park to Park Highway

Mar 6th - 00:30am | Roger Williams

Is there a current map of this trip? is it possible to re-drive this tour? i would love to take some time and do it.

Should "Boot Cabin" In Big Bend National Park Be Replaced?

Mar 5th - 18:46pm | Karen Garrison Reyer

That cabin is an historical building and must be intreperted and preserved! Unless it has had major reconstruction since the early 1950's or early 1960's then it is old enough to be presreved. Possibly built by CCC.

Mar 5th - 16:40pm | Ramon Holguin

Being a regular visitor to BIBE and having carried my backpacking gear by there numerous times. It always confounded me as to its presence. The corral i can understand having in the Chisos. But i'm not particularly fond of it being along Boot Trail. Boot Trail seems to be occupied by a growing bear population. I feel the corral would be better served along the Colima trail. As for a cabin?

Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Named Acting Intermountain Region Director

Mar 5th - 11:19am | Roger Norberg

I believe Bob Vogel would make a fine superintendent.

Democrats Introduce "Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act" To Help Wildlife Cope With Climate Change

Mar 5th - 03:01am | motion detector...

If a purpose of the Act is to "Help wildlife cope with climate change, then the former longgrass prairiewhich included part of Illinois as well as west of the Mississippi, need to have wildlife linkage.If a purpose of the Act is to "Help wildlife cope with climate change, then the former longgrass prairiewhich included part of Illinois as well as west of the Mississippi, need to have wildlife l

Can We Afford The America's Great Outdoors Initiative?

Mar 4th - 18:29pm | M. D. Vaden

It seems that the best solution is that we put our money and effort into the most important needs of our country, at this particular point in time. Regardless of how many hundreds of good reasons, or problems, people may throw into this arena of discussion about the initiative, all are silenced by the most important needs and priorities..

Friends Of The Smokies Working To Save Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Hemlock Trees

Mar 4th - 11:44am | Holly Scott

Thank you so much for highlighting the successes of the treatment program in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Mar 4th - 08:36am | justinh

This is great news! It was tough seeing all the sick hemlocks in Cataloochee last spring. Thanks for the update.

Searching for Spring Flowers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mar 4th - 08:13am | Kurt Repanshek

Nice shots, Bill!

Mar 4th - 07:06am | William Britten

Lots of daffodils are in bloom now in the Smoky Mountains, in Cades Cove. http://williambritten.com/wordpress/great-smoky-mountains-national-park/...

National Park Icons: Yellowstone’s Roosevelt Arch

Mar 3rd - 21:29pm | Anonymous

Yellowstone is the prettiest place I've been. I've been to a decent amount of places, Germany, Italy. but Yellowstone still holds in my heart as number one. And I wont forget when we where leaving the park and we where driving to Mount Rushmore. We ended up behind a car from Florida. IT was really cool to see them so happy to see something that wasn't flat.

Half Dome Permits Available For Reservation Beginning March 1

Mar 3rd - 20:50pm | The Hike Guy

I was up at 7am on March 1st to get permits online. After a few refreshes at 6:59am, I got in and acquired two permits for a Sunday in June. Seemed simple enough. However, as a curiosity, I went back online in the afternoon to check on what dates were still available. June was completely booked!

Enter Traveler's "Take Your Family to the National Parks" Essay Contest!

Mar 3rd - 20:47pm | Anonymous

I really hope I win, but I don't think my essay is good enough. I've never been to a national park before.

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