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Grand Canyon National Park Officials Release Stock Use Plan, Including Mule Ride Quotas

Jan 12th - 07:01am | Also interested

NPS Public Relation Specialists did well with the numbers that bely the reality of the changes. By many accounts the above the rim rides on the South Rim are a disappointment with many wanting refunds because the Ride does not reflect the Inner Canyon Ride's "transformational" effect.

Yellowstone National Park Moving Into Next Phase of Building Bison Tolerance In Montana

Jan 12th - 00:57am | Anonymous

This is a horrible plan for the buffalo and the full story is not being told. It is highly stressful for the buffalo and many will probably not survive, as has happened with other "management" efforts. Buffalo are no longer welcome in Montana because everything is about cattle in Montana.

Big Cypress National Preserve Superintendent Defends "Addition" Lands ORV Use

Jan 12th - 00:41am | Frank Denninger

Mr Schwartz is correct but may not want to admit Mr Ramos the Superintendent fo the Addition and Big Cypress National Preserve is also correct. My belief is that PEER, NPCA and Matt Schwartz and other groups that use these controversies as a fund raising tool, just can't accept the fact that this place is not a PARK but a Preserve with 2 difficult to balance objectives according to law.

Record of Decision on Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Plan OKed, But Implementation Months Away

Jan 11th - 23:16pm | d-2

That's pretty inspiring, Rick Smith. Put me in, coach ! America is a wonderful place, and the National Parks do tell its story.

Jan 11th - 19:27pm | Rick Smith

Actually, d-2, there may be a way for the NPS to take advantage of the changed political landscape in the Congress and elsewhere.

Jan 11th - 12:38pm | d-2

Hi Ron

Jan 11th - 09:35am | Matt Stubbs

Not to mention all of the studies it will take to implement any of the areas they call access improvements = decades down the road. See Bridge replacement

Jan 11th - 08:49am | Ryan

I would not worry about things at the seashore changing all that much, as the NPS has zero money to actually enforce any of their proposals.

Jan 10th - 23:37pm | Ron Saunders

d-2

Jan 10th - 19:08pm | d-2

Matt makes the point that the NPS was short sighted, and had not anticipated the impact of population growth on the Seashore (among other areas. Sometimes government agencies do have internal reports and evaluations of issues and trends, but the political leaders of the agency never permit the agency to act on the obvious conclusions.

Jan 10th - 18:40pm | Ron Saunders

Anon 3:13 Thanks for the backup. A little common sense still goes a long way in my book. It's kinda funny in a way, some will make a statement and have to spend forever trying to convince you that it is so. Truth is generally self evident, not in need of convincing. I think I heard something like that somewhere. You know it when you hear it, even if you don't like it. Ron

Jan 10th - 16:13pm | Anonymous

Ron, it is known that the recreational activities have actually helped the Plovers and other birds. But the NPS/AS/DOW don't want you to know that. Some biologists believe that the recreational activities, including ORVs traveling by, help reduce predation. But they'll never admit that...

Jan 10th - 15:11pm | Ron Saunders

IF I WERE A PLOVER I happen to be a human being. Male, average type, bout 66 years old, Family man. I have a home with an average yard. I have Kids, Grandkids and a dog named Bobby.

Jan 10th - 15:11pm | Matt Stubbs

Wow Kurt I guess we are both old and like the classics. I was going to channel Seinfeld but thought better of it...

Jan 10th - 13:51pm | Ron Saunders

Speaking of "future generations". My wife and I have a picture on the wall at our cottage. It is a favorite of everyone. It is very simple. It was taken at the north point at Oregon Inlet. It is a group picture of four generations of our family. Very young to eighty plus. The day was one that will be remembered lovingly by many.

Jan 10th - 13:43pm | Anonymous

"Sadly, visitation numbers across the entire park system are often little more than guesstimates." So why is it so hard for everyone to believe that the "boots on the ground" view of the visitation numbers are down since the changes.

Jan 10th - 13:38pm | Kurt Repanshek

>>if the NPS did not want us to have access they would not be called a park and placed it on a beach.<< Channeling George Carlin, Matt? Great word play!

Jan 10th - 13:34pm | Matt Stubbs

"Matt, you are a future generation, but there was not 2 million people visiting the areas 50 years ago. Also, I made a point of saying impacts from any activity because in terms of wildlife, pedestrians can have, in some case, more impacts on wildlife than any form of motorized recreation (flushing birds off nests, walking on/over dunes, etc)."

Jan 10th - 12:57pm | Anonymous

"How do you define "historical" and "traditional"?"

Jan 10th - 12:17pm | Kurt Repanshek

Matt,

Jan 10th - 12:11pm | Ryan

Matt, you are a future generation, but there was not 2 million people visiting the areas 50 years ago. Also, I made a point of saying impacts from any activity because in terms of wildlife, pedestrians can have, in some case, more impacts on wildlife than any form of motorized recreation (flushing birds off nests, walking on/over dunes, etc).

Jan 10th - 12:03pm | Anonymous

"Later this week we'll report on a survey of how businesses predict the new management plan will impact them. It's not encouraging." Well, that report ought to be a big "duh"...

Jan 10th - 11:51am | Matt Stubbs

Show us the degradation with proof it was and is caused by ORV's... And if you can please explain why pedestrians are being punished the same way? And by the way no one has stepped to the plate to say who they were talking about 50+ years ago when they said "Future Generations"?

Jan 10th - 11:47am | Ryan

Well, that is certainly arguable...but beside the point. So impacts to wildlife, regardless of activity is not an impact? How do you define "historical" and "traditional"?

Jan 10th - 11:32am | Anonymous

"Just because an areas managed by the NPS has "recreation" in its title does not allow for the degradation of the particular site. All NPS units are still required to adhere to the 1916 Organic act, not arguing here, just stating facts."

Jan 10th - 10:43am | Kurt Repanshek

Visitation statistics are interesting creatures, but they can be incredibly soft and lead to more questions than answers.

Jan 10th - 10:34am | Ryan

Just because an areas managed by the NPS has "recreation" in its title does not allow for the degradation of the particular site. All NPS units are still required to adhere to the 1916 Organic act, not arguing here, just stating facts. From the 1916 Organic act that created the NPS (which, just as a reminder, CAHA is a part of):

Jan 10th - 10:18am | Matt Stubbs

I have also heard that a large amount of visitation lately is due to the economy with people attempting to recreate in Cape Hatteras versus flying somewhere. This of coarse is only temporary as the economy should improve and the beaches will only close more and more areas for breeding.

Trickle of Documents Highlights National Park Service's Mistakes In Hubbell Trading Post Investigation

Jan 11th - 21:01pm | Also interested

It is DISGUSTING! by any accounts what this agency has done hiding behind all the lofty ideals they profess. BS. :)

Jan 11th - 19:11pm | interested

Thank you for this report. I have been aware of the situation since the day Mr. Malone's life was up-ended. His life as a trader was destroyed, he and his family were removed from the place they had called home for many years, and their personal property was taken from them along with HTP items. It was uncalled for and those responsible should be put on trial.

Jan 11th - 16:17pm | FOB Friend of Billy

The National Park Service and WNPA were in a relationship that was corrupting and in the end costly to NPS, damaging to the priceless assets of the Hubbell Historical Site. Steve And Cyd Martin, Mr Snyder have all jumped ship to escape the wrath of God .

Jan 11th - 12:29pm | Anonymous

7000 pieces of jewelry is an insane amount. That has to be the largest amount of Indian jewelry ever collected. Almost one piece for every day Bill Malone was there. 557 rugs is also a huge amount. I guess it could be worse - he could have been hoarding cats.

Jan 11th - 08:34am | Keeper

"Hartzog erupted vehemently that he would not countenance another god-damned dead embalmed historic site, that it must be a living trading post," The best line I've heard by anyone in NPS leadership. That's "Getting Real!"

Jan 11th - 08:28am | Keeper

Ha Ha Ha, if we could shed some light on the numbers and motivations of your world I'm hoping that more of what's happened at Hubbell and the Canyon by familiar faces is not widespread. There are questionable choices made with what seems like a parallel universe when it comes to money, career paths, personal bias and trust.

Jan 10th - 22:28pm | NPS planner

These mule guys need to get real. The canyon is 300 million in the hole maintenance wise 25 million on the trails 90 percent caused by the mules. Get the Canyon so get the canyon some funds and keep the mules. They are so self centered and personal they don't understand the issue

Jan 10th - 19:34pm | Keeper

To NPS field employee: If there hadn't been countless efforts requesting more information (including FOIA) on this and the issue I've brought up there might be more confidence in the process. The darkness makes one think that things are running amok and protecting careers are a higher priority than the public trust, imagine that.

Jan 10th - 18:43pm | NPS field empolyee

this definitely keeps up with the fields view of NPT as National Park Tattler. Leave it alone, and if you are going to report try to get all the facts and drop the witch hunt. The investigators blew it, but they were good people, just didnt handle it well. One of the pproblems of taking the special agents out from direct supervision by superintnedents and moving them to DC.

Jan 10th - 18:42pm | Keeper

I appreciate the reporting and comments but the best statement (my opinion) I noted in the reporting came from Ex NPS Director Hartzog. "Hartzog erupted vehemently that he would not countenance another god-damned dead embalmed historic site, that it must be a living trading post," Mr. Utley recalled to the history's authors, Albert and Ann Manchester.

Jan 10th - 14:50pm | Anonymous

It is interesting with all of the authors investigation the fact that the special agents did not work for snyder or martin is not pointed out. The special agents are out of the line of supervision and influence of management and supervised directly out of washington DC. And of course NPS will not comment when a law suit is still under way.

Jan 10th - 14:26pm | MRC

Thanks for reporting this story. I'm not really interested in the current aspects of the criminal investigation, stuff happens and who is surprised that NPS does not exactly advertise with its mistakes. But I was fascinated with the atmosphere when I was in Hubbell Trading Post long ago but did not really understood the importance of the site.

Jan 10th - 13:21pm | Keeper

With Dr. Cid Martin as Special Assistant for Intermountain Indian Affairs and American Culture did she have any involvement in the Hubbel issue during Intermountain Regional Director Steve Martin rein?

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Dispute Places Birds, Turtles, and Humans on Small Strip of Sand

Jan 11th - 19:49pm | Anonymous

What do we do? How do we force out the NPS/DOI regime that is causing this?

Jan 11th - 13:19pm | Bill Hubbard

It started with Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts more than 25 years ago. Now, the National Park Service seems hell-bent on banning the public from most of our national parks and seashores that have traditionall provided public access for fishing, etc. It's happening on the west coast too. Bill Hubbard

Photo Spot: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Jan 11th - 18:12pm | gin

Over 35 years ago, I visited the Black Canyon of the Gunnison on a camping trip through Colorado. I still remember the incredible canyon and the absolute darkness of the sky at night. It was my favorite place on that trip. Thank you for the wonderful pictures that helped refresh my memories. My little Kodak prints are pretty sorry!

Jan 11th - 14:11pm | Lee Dalton

Thank you, Mr. Luong, for sharing your work with us.

Jan 11th - 10:58am | justinh

Followed the Warner Trail on a dawn hike down to the river--pretty spectacular place. Thanks for your photographs. While I was preparing for my backpacking trip through the parks last summer, I spent a LOT of time looking at your parks map and gazing at your photographs--amazing pictures!

Bona fide Deal or Bailout? Should the NPS Acquire Grant's Farm near St. Louis?

Jan 11th - 16:35pm | macdaddy45

Who is to say whether a site envokes an image of the people that owned it in another life time. Old Man Wrigley Spearmint once owned Catalina Island off the coast of California. There you can find an assortment of different animals from different parts of the world. There are farm fields there and you can stay in a hotel on the island if you can afford it.

Facebook Promotion With Lowe's Could Gain Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars for National Park Foundation

Jan 11th - 09:42am | Lee Dalton

I can't help worrying at least a little about promotions like this. Is there a chance that the park or NPS might somehow wind up obligated to the business involved in some way?

Summering at Cape Lookout National Seashore: The Logistics

Jan 10th - 12:50pm | Ranger

@Ron Saunders: This is one of the many reasons why we like you so much Kurt. There, I fixed it.

Political Lineup For House Natural Resources Committee Sure to Produce Fireworks Over Public Lands

Jan 10th - 11:50am | Anonymous

I find it very interesting that the comment about "finding ways to sustain a satisfactory quality of life while using less energy and wasting less energy" was referred to as an extreme argument. This is a very reasonable argument! If people do not realize that this is what we as a nation must dedicate ourselves to accomplish, they are the extremists.

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