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National Park System Would Gain Official Wilderness Under Omnibus Lands Bill

Jan 7th - 20:30pm | Sabattis

Paul - If you've ever visited a Park that is largely wilderness, like North Cascades, and compared it to the experience of say visiting Yosemite Valley or the developed areas of Yellowstone, I think you would quickly see the difference.

Jan 7th - 20:24pm | tahoma

It may not be such a reach, Kurt. Most of the larger units have a cadre of relatively well paid employees who have a vested interest in building new infrastructure. These range from contracting officer and Trail Foreman to Landscape Architect, Chief of 'Maintenance', and beyond.

Jan 7th - 20:18pm | Sabattis

Preoccupation with the economic crisis certainly played a role, but it was still somewhat surprising that Congress failed to pass its now seemingly standard end-of-session omnibus public lands bill. Even with the economic crisis, this probably would have still have passed but for the objections of Senator Coburn of Oklahoma. Sen.

Jan 7th - 19:17pm | Barky

OK, makes sense I suppose. Thanks for that! ==================================================== My travels through the National Park System: americaincontext.com

Jan 7th - 18:43pm | Kurt Repanshek

Barky, no, it's not exactly empty rhetoric. While the areas in question have been "managed" as defacto wilderness, that's not the same as being officially designated wilderness.

Jan 7th - 18:33pm | Barky

Help me out here: why is a wilderness declaration of regions within an existing national park really matter? I understand that declaring other lands as 'wilderness' affords them protection from development, road building, etc., but aren't lands within a park already protected?

NPCA, Park Retirees File Lawsuit to Halt Change in National Park Gun Rules

Jan 7th - 20:20pm | Warren Z

Ted:

Jan 7th - 19:54pm | kath

Wow..cute comic! And is that the way we as U.S. citizens should see it? That we cannot go and visit a national park without feeling bodily threatened and in need of a firearm? My husband & I have visited numerous parks, and the day when I don't feel safe...we'll be staying home!

Jan 7th - 19:26pm | Ted Clayton

Warren Z., Warren said:

Jan 7th - 18:37pm | Warren Z

So... let's take all of the discussion about "lobbyists" out of the argument, and get back to the issue.

Jan 7th - 17:57pm | Ted Clayton

Bill, I understand that it is a little distasteful to see your organization mentioned, much less categorized with Exxon or NRA. But I did not say that CNPSR are liars, thieves or otherwise disparage them, only bringing forward that they are a "lobby", like a large number of other such groups that 'work' the government.

Jan 7th - 16:53pm | Bill Wade

Bill Wade Chair, Executive Council Coalition of National Park Service Retirees Ted -

Jan 7th - 16:37pm | Ted Clayton

NRA "drives" laws through Congress. When involved in a conflict or struggle, folks need to know who the opponent actually is, if they are to take effective actions. The problem is, folks very commonly react toward figures & entities other than the source of their grievance. Sounds weird - and often is! - but it's true.

Jan 7th - 16:21pm | Bill Wade

Bill Wade Chair, Executive Council Coalition of National Park Service Retirees

Jan 7th - 14:50pm | Kurt Repanshek

Bill, it's "Kurt.";-) That aside, I'm not at all in favor of crooks. But the system as it's currently running is working if you believe the crime stats for national parks.'Nuff said.

Jan 7th - 14:27pm | Warren Z

Ted Clayton:

Jan 7th - 14:13pm | Rick Smith

Not only that, Kurt, but Senator Crapo, R-Id, admits that the NRA drafted the letter that Senators signed and sent to Kempthorne. I think Ted is underestimating the capacity of the NRA to drive campaigns like this.

Jan 7th - 14:08pm | bill woodard

Kirk: Why are you in favor of crooks, who never have or had paid any attention to any law be the only ones to carry concealed firearms in the national parks? When any organization or business support a law that does not allow a citizen with a concealed weapons license to carry a gun for protection is telling the crook it is ok to rob and kill the unarmed citizen.

Jan 7th - 13:58pm | Random Walker

Jan 7th - 13:52pm | BILL WOODARD

This is most disappointing: I dont understand why any group is willing to tell the crooks it is OK to come into the NPS and rob and kill who they want because no one will be able to protect themselves. Sorta dumb isnt it.

Jan 7th - 13:41pm | Kurt Repanshek

Oh, I don't know Ted, I it's fairly accurate to say NRA drove this measure right through the Senate. They worked with Sen.

Jan 7th - 11:18am | Ted Clayton

In this article, Kurt characterizes the new rule-change as "National Rifle Association-driven". Well ... certainly, the NRA liked this idea, was doubtless instrumental in hustling around Congress etc on it's behalf, and otherwise cheerleading & pitching-in any way they could. Sure ... but 'NRA-driven' is a significant enhancement of the capacity they wield.

Fake USGS Site Urges Evacuation of Yellowstone National Park

Jan 7th - 19:23pm | Barky

Everytime I hear "someone created a fake website", I think "here's a guy who should probably get away from his computer and walk in the woods once in a while." Although, I admit, I think this might be the year I finally visit Yellowstone. Ya know, before it blows up and what-not. After that it'll be damned hard to find lodging!

National Park Quiz 36: Management

Jan 7th - 19:06pm | Bob Janiskee

Jeez, Barky, I can't get eleven correct myself! I demand a recount.

Jan 7th - 18:40pm | Barky

Wow, only got one wrong (including the bonus questions). My best showing yet! Sadly, one I got wrong (the Craters of the Moon) is one I actually visited. I thought the City of Rocks was the jointly managed recreation area, being a haven for recreational rock climbers. Are you sure that's not the correct answer? ;-) =====================================

Jan 7th - 10:34am | Kevin Turner

Great quiz! Please correct the answer key to show that B Historic Jamestowne is the correct answer for question number 5. The text describing the answer is correct, but the incorrect letter (C, indicating Montecello) is listed. [Ed: The correction has been made, with thanks to Kevin.]

How Many National Park Rangers Does It Take to Cut Down a Tree?

Jan 7th - 12:52pm | imtnbke

That's funnier than most attempts at humor I've read recently! You ought to submit a version of this story to national magazines like The Atlantic or the libertarian-oriented Reason. I wouldn't bother with Harper's, though; unless it's changed, the editors wouldn't see the humor.

Jan 6th - 21:51pm | rscottjones

Sorry, you lost me on this one. I myself are more than happy that federal agencies, like the NPS, are required to go through such a thoughtful process, because the alternative often seems to result in harm to the parks and resources.

Jan 6th - 17:08pm | tahoma

I'll be smiling for days thinking of your very clever & amusing post, Ted. Thanks!

Jan 6th - 16:44pm | ClaireWalter

Your observation, "...Hazard trees are those trees that, due to disease or structural failure, are at imminent risk of falling and striking stationary targets. The EA also identifies those "targets," such as public restrooms, that could suffer from the ill-timed collapse of a hazardous tree that was not properly felled in time," made me smile.

Jan 6th - 16:34pm | Kurt Repanshek

Well put, Anonymous, well put.

Jan 6th - 16:12pm | Anonymous

Amazingly enough there are a couple of reasons for going through a planning and NEPA process, even to cut down hazard trees. 1. The National Environmental Policy Act, as well as the NPS Management Policies (remember that issue?) require the NPS to fully consider potential impacts on resources. This applies even when the NPS does some things as simple as removing hazard trees.

Jan 6th - 15:13pm | Ted Clayton

Kurt & all, Having some familiarity with bait & its use, I'll bite: a.) how well & meaningfully would you think the punky regulations and tottering structural-organization of the Parks-regime compare with the accumulation & hazards of deadwood in the forest-regime?

Brady Campaign Sues Interior Department over Concealed Carry in National Parks

Jan 7th - 12:11pm | John in North C...

"The Bush Administration's last-minute gift to the gun lobby, allowing concealed semiautomatic weapons in national parks, jeopardizes the safety of park visitors in violation of federal law," said Mr. Helmke. "We should not be making it easier for dangerous people to carry concealed firearms in our parks."

This Park Combines Scenery and History on a Desert Island

Jan 7th - 07:21am | JimB

Well, we can have a bit of literary fun with the terms "desert" and "deserted" as they apply to this story. In the context of the story and the absence of a source of fresh water, "desert" was the intended word.

Jan 6th - 20:41pm | Sabattis

But going back to the original question, a "dry island' is one without a source of fresh water, and a "desert island" would be one without rainfall, I imagine. Thus, the right term would seem to be "deserted island!"

Jan 6th - 19:08pm | Rick Smith

One of Nevada Barr's novels, Flashback, is set at Dry Tortugas NP. Most NPS employees whom I know who worked at the park always felt there was something strange about the Fort. I visited the park at least 4 times a year when I was stationed at Everglades. Besides being a marvelous combination on natural and cultural resources, it is a spooky place.

Resolved: I’ll Visit at Least These Five National Parks in 2009

Jan 7th - 04:11am | Bob Janiskee

Well, Rick, I do have a friend up that way who operates a skytrekking operation. Maybe I could get him to cut me a deal. The trip I have in mind would still be pretty expensive, since I'd like to see some other parks and float some rivers as well. Will you lend me seven thousand dollars?

Bush Administration Publishes Proposed Rule For Mountain Biking in National Parks

Jan 7th - 02:52am | Ted Clayton

Kurt notes that if we get a good cellulose-conversion process going we might become greedy, over-harvest the forest here on the Olympic Peninsula, and thus generate an environmental movement backlash against our excess. The problem is, though, that logs yield more value if they are turned into lumber & pulp, than if they are turned into fuel.

Jan 6th - 23:47pm | imtnbke

The impact on National Parks that mountain biking induces is much higher than hiking or climbing (currently accepted). The disruptions to wildlife and ecosystems testify of this, and should be scientifically assessed. Hiking and climbing are low noise, low energy sports , compared to high speed biking downhill.

Jan 6th - 21:44pm | Kurt Repanshek

Ahhh, but if we as a nation really begin to focus on biofuels and agree that cellulose is a much, much better fuel than corn, perhaps all the slash from those clear-cuts has a future!

Jan 6th - 21:27pm | Ted Clayton

Because there's a thousand years worth of oil-shale? Because folks see Saudi Arabia in the Rockies? The Olympic Peninsula clearcut logging plantation system maximizes the CO2 draw-down capacity of this highly productive ecosystem, so we get a 'bye'. ;-)

Jan 6th - 19:20pm | Kurt Repanshek

Just to keep the thread drift going, any thoughts on why there's so much uproar over energy development near the Utah parks and not a peep about the clear-cutting that runs near, if not up to, the southern boundaries of Olympic?

Jan 6th - 19:18pm | Ted Clayton

tahoma, No problem with the late-night comments, but the explanation is appreciated - Thanks! Carsten with an "e" gets lots of good returns. Mr. Lein's account no doubt addresses the $64 question: Why did it take over 40 years to form Olympic National Park, after everyone knew that the Peninsula was an exceptional habitat?

Jan 6th - 16:29pm | Sabine Airieau

The impact on National Parks that mountain biking induces is much higher than hiking or climbing (currently accepted). The disruptions to wildlife and ecosystems testify of this, and should be scientifically assessed. Hiking and climbing are low noise, low energy sports , compared to high speed biking downhill.

Jan 6th - 15:01pm | tahoma

Ted-

Jan 6th - 11:18am | Ted Clayton

tahoma, I, and probably others too, would like to read a quick run-down of some of the specifics & generalities, a few paragraphs introducing us to the most important items & themes that you found notable in Carston Lien's Olympic Battleground.

Interior Officials Release Rule Change to Allow National Park Visitors to Arm Themselves

Jan 6th - 20:30pm | mikewhitt

Maybe good people like you will never need someone to protect you from a criminal, if you do don't let them bring a gun to protect you.

Pruning the Parks: The $100 Million National Visitor Center Fiasco

Jan 6th - 19:47pm | Sabattis

I couldn't help but notice in LBJ's remarks mention of the Capitol Visitor's Center. The final price tag on that fiasco? $621 million. Yet another lesson that it takes more than good intentions to ensure that public money is well spent.

Accessibility in the National Park System

Jan 6th - 12:43pm | Omar Quadivich

My favorite park for accessible access is the Cape Cod National Seashore and the Coast Guard Beach located in Eastham on the Cape. During the summer months between June to Labor Day, the parkink lot is closed to all but the park staff and visitors who are disabled. All other access to this beach is by shuttle bus from the Little Creak Area.

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.