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Bush Administration Publishes Proposed Rule For Mountain Biking in National Parks

Dec 19th - 08:38am | Kurt Repanshek

Zeb,

Dec 19th - 00:31am | Zebulon

Interestingly enough, my first reply was not posted. Did I hit a sensitive nerve with the bike hating webmaster? :)

Dec 18th - 22:15pm | Ted Clayton

Mountain bikers: yeah, they can be obnoxious. Here in the Pacific Northwest, it's a transparent excuse to act like a pubescent male with esteem & identity issues. Be loud, crash, let the blood run, dry & crust (maybe smear some on the face). Revert to tribal rituals, in groups greater than two. I don't find them very likeable.

Dec 18th - 21:09pm | Anonymous

I am 58-years old. I have visited most of the national parks in my life, where I have hiked and camped. In the last year I have taken up mountain-biking mostly for its aerobic qualities after a heart attack. What I have found is that it is a wonderful experience in itself. I am not talking about the downhill daredevil type as seen in competition, but rather the easy trail riding.

Dec 18th - 21:00pm | imtnbke

You’ve heard of Big Tobacco! You’ve heard of Big Oil! Now there’s the menace of Big Mountain Bike taking over our precious parks! But not if we take a defiant stand against this nonsense. We're PRUDE: Public Retirees Unanimously Denouncing Exhilaration.

Dec 18th - 20:32pm | Zebulon

As usual on this website, as soon as cyclists are allowed to go ride trails in the national parks, the FUD comes fast and furious. Cyclists are just as entitled to enjoy the trails they pay for as other users. Cycling is an environmentally friendly activity that has no more impact than hiking and way less than horse riding.

Nevada Barr’s Next Park Novel: An Unauthorized Preview

Dec 19th - 05:21am | Bob Janiskee

You have a good memory for places, Lepanto. However, Liberty Falling (book #7) was published in May 1999, nearly four years before Governors Island National Monument was established (on February 7, 2003, by Presidential Proclamation 7647).

Dec 19th - 00:12am | Lepanto

And, Bob: I may have to re-read it again, but in Liberty Falling, didn't she also get to Governors Island National Monument?

Dec 18th - 18:55pm | Bob Janiskee

Seven out of eight ain't bad, Molly. (As they say, any landing you can walk away from is a good one.) Does this earn me pick of the litter?

Dec 18th - 17:34pm | Thorpunious

I stumbled across your article and loved it--and quite a challenge it must have been to write a review of a book as yet not written! Your forecast was close, but slightly off course. The book is now written and submitted to the publisher! It is due for release in April 2009. As a source close to Ms. Barr, I can settle the question of where the number 15 Anna Pigeon novel will take place.

Sen. Salazar Seems to be the Interior Secretary Pick For the Obama Administration

Dec 19th - 00:07am | d-2

Frank C: I agree with you on ridicule and Alinsky: ridicule is the weapon of the weak. I don't really think Alinsky was a Marxist or had any kind of belief structure, actually. It seemed to me his value as a political thinker was understanding the power of organization, rather than Movements. He had no use for Movements.

Dec 18th - 17:47pm | d-2

Dear Frank C: reading suggestion: Saul Alinsky. Either of his 2 books. He is not a fan of "awareness" per se. He believes in organization.

Dec 18th - 09:06am | d-2

DEAR FRANK C: The issue in politics for you, for others, I submit, is being effective. That means either creating an advantage, or winning. Otherwise, what is the point, other than shaking your fist at the sky or some other form of self-expression.

Dec 17th - 15:51pm | JimB

Concentrating power in one person, a monarchical tendency, defiles the basis of which our country was founded and for which revolutionaries gave their lives. We wouldn't want to antagonize the monarch, because he might punish us or we might loose his royal favor. Frank C - I agree 100%. Unfortunately, that's tended to be the situation in recent years.

Dec 17th - 13:02pm | JimB

Re Frank C's response to my earlier post: Ah, yes. This is the "go along, get along" philosophy of those in power in the NPS. Heave forbid we examine the voting record and actions of political appointees and make critical statements about them. "Go along and get along" are vastly different.

Dec 17th - 10:38am | d-2

Getting back to Frank C and Jim B's points earlier, I think there is a big difference between a "Moderate" like Salazar in this upcoming Obama Administration, and what we have seen previously. There is the possibility that Obama will generally support a pro-environmental stand, and therefore Salazar would lean in that direction.

Dec 16th - 18:47pm | Ted Clayton

Kurt, not to get off topic, but I've never shown much aptitude for staying on-topic. I don't quite get it...

Dec 16th - 17:50pm | Kurt Repanshek

Jim, thanks for the link. This definitely will be an interesting story to watch unfold. It also will be interesting to see if the Senate asks him some tough questions during the confirmation hearings.

Dec 16th - 17:43pm | jsmacdonald

This backs up my prediction that a lot of environmentalists would be very unhappy with the pick of Salazar - from NPR - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98347731 . As for NPCA, they and the big NGOs play the game. That's how you play the game.

Dec 16th - 17:31pm | Kurt Repanshek

Ted, not to get off topic -- hell, yes, to get off topic -- how were your travels in the great white north? Any tales to tell?

Dec 16th - 17:26pm | Ted Clayton

Oh yes, Kurt, drab is way in. Try #90948a! On jeans/slacks, bras, automobiles; oh yes. Cabinet officials - absolutely!

Dec 16th - 16:45pm | Kurt Repanshek

Frank, Having a keen interest in history, this does sound like an interesting book. I still think you should read the SCOTUS's ruling, though. Ted, isn't drab trendy these daze?

Dec 16th - 16:08pm | Ted Clayton

I'll accept "stooge" as an alternative spelling of "Representative" ... and not a bad one at that! I don't care to whom an Official genuflects in private, so long as he remembers the actual voting-records that got him where he is. "Stooge THIS, Buddy!"

Dec 16th - 14:38pm | JimB

At this point in the game, I'd say the NPCA is taking the right approach.

Gun Rules for The National Parks: Will They Really Make It Easier To Pack in the Parks?

Dec 18th - 17:48pm | Ted Clayton

Kurt said: In [the D.C. vs Heller] ruling the [Supreme Court] said the federal government was well within its rights to regulate where concealed weapons could be carried beyond the confines of your home. That's not really untrue guys, but there is some rather significant & extensive nuance involved that we may want to be careful to observe.

Dec 18th - 15:47pm | Ted Clayton

(I wrote this before other comments had appeared, and it is circumstance that I use some of the same examples as others. ;-)

Dec 18th - 15:33pm | Kurt Repanshek

LH, not sure what you mean about the folks at VNP skirting existing regs prohibiting loaded firearms. Their release outlined how the landscape will look once/if the new rule takes effect next month.

Dec 18th - 14:33pm | Lone Hiker

While I understand the intent Frank, automobile traffic is allowed and unfortunately even encouraged within the boundaries of the parks, whereas the current rules state that only unloaded firearms are currently "legal".

Dec 18th - 14:04pm | Anonymous

Does a person or a citiezen of these United States of America have a Constitutional Right to Self Defence or not? Does the same have the right to Arm oneself for Self Defence our not? Be careful People. To deny any constitutional right is a violation of US Code Title 18 Chapter 13 Section 242. Its there. Look it up.

Dec 18th - 14:03pm | Jimi Whitten

You might as well get ready for it in the parks, the new administration will lead an all out assault on the second amendment sooner rather than later. I would bet money that by the end of 2009, you won't be able to legally carry a weapon on a hunting trip!

Updated: Salazar Pick For Interior Secretary Labeled a Failure

Dec 18th - 12:31pm | dapster

You betcha! Here's a link to a local newspaper, "The Island Free Press", which has covered all the NPS Negotioated Rulemaking Committee meetings: http://www.islandfreepress.org/CatBeachAccessIssues.html

Dec 18th - 10:08am | Ted Clayton

Thanks dapster! I did see a CHNSRA comment the other day as I refreshed on NPT, but have seen nothing in the news. Can you point me to a thread that will update me?

Dec 18th - 08:58am | dapster

If the radical leftist Suckling doesn't like the pick, then I guess I love it. The Wilderness Society and NPCA are definitely more in tune with the average, working American. Roger, I couldn't agree more. Just goes to show that the Radicalized Enviros can't win 'em all!

Dec 17th - 15:15pm | Ted Clayton

I read the Wikipedia entries for the Center for Biological Diversity, and for Kieran Suckling, and what I see is very close to a one-man enti

Dec 17th - 14:01pm | Roger

If the radical leftist Suckling doesn't like the pick, then I guess I love it. The Wilderness Society and NPCA are definitely more in tune with the average, working American.

Dec 17th - 12:24pm | Betty H

I will hope for the best and withhold judgement until we see what he does after he takes office. At this point, almost anyone will be an improvement !

Everglades Land Bill Approved, But With a Caveat

Dec 18th - 09:26am | Ted Clayton

Ansley said:

Dec 18th - 07:33am | Ansley

I could not agree with you more. I am a sixth generation Floridian and have lived in Hendry county my whole life. I was at the meetings this week, and I must say I am DISGUSTED with our government. These seven board members had their strings pulled all week by our 'great' governor. They were conned into doing what they did with the promise of God knows what.

Dec 17th - 19:52pm | Ted Clayton

First of all, the price of the land is too expensive, even in good economic times. At $1.34 billion for 181,000 acres, that's slightly over $7,400 an acre, wholesale. Realistically, the price is acknowledged to be about $3 billion, or more. That's well over $20,000 an acre, in very large swaths. For cane field. I am tooo szzure!

Will Delaware Finally Get Its "National Park"?

Dec 17th - 12:36pm | JimB

Ted - Thanks for the comments!

Dec 17th - 10:35am | Ted Clayton

Jim Burnett said:

Wal-Mart Request Would Put a Super Center Next to The Wilderness Battlefield

Dec 17th - 09:19am | Omar Quadivich

Living in Fredericksburg, Virginia for the past dozen or so years, I have watched the explosion of commercial and residential development in this area. We’re talking less than 150,000 people. The Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania battlefields you could say are my neighbors being less than half a mile to 8 miles away.

Survey Predicts Change in National Park Gun Regulations Will Lead to Wildlife Shootings, Management Problems

Dec 16th - 18:21pm | Anonymous

So how are you getting to the park? on your bike? what's your point?

Dec 16th - 18:20pm | Anonymous

260,000 of a total population of over 15 million choose to carry. The statistics you cite are insignificant for comparing crime statistics. They only prove how well TX does background checks of the permits they issue. Clearly permit holders are committing crimes.

Man Bitten at Saguaro National Park by Gila Monster

Dec 16th - 15:40pm | Anonymous

“ I have never been called to attend a case of Gila monster bite, and I don’t want to be. I think a man who is fool enough to get bitten by a Gila monster ought to die. The creature is so sluggish and slow of movement that the victim of its bite is compelled to help largely in order to get bitten. ” —Dr. Ward, Arizona Graphic, September 23, 1899

At Yellowstone, It’s Fluffy the Snuggle-Bud One, Coyotes Zero

Dec 16th - 13:53pm | Ted Clayton

I authored the original "Feral" article on Wikipedia: like others here, I have a slightly inordinate fascination with domesticated creatures reentering the wild.

Interior Department To Be Sued Over Cape Hatteras National Seashore Plover Habitat Decisions

Dec 16th - 13:30pm | Bob Janiskee

Anon, I'm afraid that trying to define environmental resource values in terms of human activities will not get you very far. Among the most valuable resources on the planet are ecosystems and landscapes providing free services in the form of watershed protection, erosion control, storm buffering, pollution filtering, aquifer recharge, nurseries for commercial fish stocks, etc.

Dec 16th - 12:53pm | Anonymous

D-2 your posts lead me to believe that you have no first hand or other actual experience in Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Recreation Area.

What's the Latest On The Search for An Interior Secretary?

Dec 16th - 12:42pm | jsmacdonald

Ted, I'm not going to defend liberal environmentalism or caricatures of the views of the people I know working on these issues - which are far more diverse than that.

Did Mount Rainier National Park Leave Contractor Holding The Bill?

Dec 16th - 12:24pm | Ted Clayton

It is doubtful this is a 'Parks issue'. The building trades - and many other businesses, like logging - use the General Contractor and Sub-Contractor model. The roofing-contractor would most likely have no relationship with the Park whatsoever - his agreements were with the GC.

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