You are here

Home

All Recent Comments

Groups Ask National Park Service To End Use Of Lead-Based Ammo And Tackle In Parks

Nov 19th - 14:32pm | chris...

Kurt- that is because the barrel of a shotgun is smooth bored.  You can shoot steel ammo out of them without issue.  The same ammo would ruin a rifle barrle as it is riffled to spin the bullet and provide a more accurate shot.  

Nov 19th - 13:04pm | Kurt Repanshek

Loui, are you aware that lead shot has been banned for 25 years when it comes to waterfowl hunting, and yet hunting continues in national wildlife refuges where allowed? There are options for non-lead shot on the market. This won't close parks where hunting and fishing is allowed to hunting and fishing.

Nov 19th - 08:35am | Loui

This is a subterfuge to end all hunting in the 76 NPS units which so allow it.  Until proponents of this radical proposal can offer a viable alternative to lead ammo, which currently does not exist, this is merely a ban on hunting.

UPDATED | Got Those Recreation.Gov Blues

Nov 19th - 07:51am | Jeff Henretty

Maybe they should limit the amount of days one can reserve a site to 1 week per Campground per month! I'm tired of visiting Campgrounds that were totally blocked out for the weekend only to find 1/2 the sites empty all weekend! I'm sure this is hurting the their finances and probably why the maintenance has gone down hill in recent years.

What Not to Do with an Old Cannonball

Nov 19th - 01:15am | lorraine france...

who do I take my cannon ball to  to get it checked

Reservations Won't Be Needed To Visit Yosemite In 2023

Nov 17th - 18:36pm | ecbuck

Well chris, in my opinion corporations shouldn't pay taxes and in reality don't pay taxes.  Nevertheless Booz Allen collected $267 million of its clients money and handed it over to the government in its Fiscal 2022 year.  The point of my post was that whether someone pays taxes or not is not a valid criteria for deciding what to charge to enter a National Park.  A far better approach is to eli

Nov 17th - 18:05pm | chris...

Steve- Yes.  It will reduce foriegn visation.  Also- the reason Euro's import their RVs into the US is not because they have endless funds- its because its actually cheaper to do that than it is to rent an RV in America for an extended time.  

Nov 17th - 16:53pm | Steve M

Chris - Sigh. I'll try this again since you just aren't understanding.  My original comment was much like you did here, whenever there is a post about dealing with overcrowding in our parks someone always brings up charging foreign visitors more for admission.

Nov 17th - 15:08pm | chris...

I apologize for my terse writing. Its not my intent to be combative.  I just like public lands and tend to have strong views.  Cheers to all

Nov 17th - 14:33pm | chris....

Should Booz Allen be paying corporate taxes when they are defined as a person by the supreme court?  They do run recreation.gov and all.   Also- perhaps read up on what was proposed last year.  My thoughts are pretty well in line with current NPS thinking and what is the worldwide norm.  

Nov 17th - 13:59pm | ecbuck

Chris - should we charge more for the 50% of Americans that don't pay federal taxes?

Nov 17th - 13:31pm | chris...

well perhaps on their way to point B it will be some place other than a national park.  Since the cost of an RV alters their plans it seems logical increased costs for the NPS imposed on forign tourists would also alter visitation patterns.    And other coutries already charge us more- what is there to lose?  Perhaps you did not understand this

Nov 17th - 12:34pm | Steve M

Importing an RV by no means proves that higher costs will reduce some foreign visitors.  To state otherwise is completely absurd and I find it ridiculous that you think it proves your point.  All it shows is that these individuals compareed price A to price B and chose the option that saved them money.  

Nov 17th - 12:03pm | chris...

Most countries do have different rates for non citizens.  I question if you have ever been out of country if you think you pay the same rate as others in foreign lands.  In fact I would guess one major surprise for people when they come to the US is that they pay the same price as locals for everything.  Thats not the case in most countries. Even for a pepsi.

Nov 17th - 11:24am | Steve M

I always find it interesting that whenever there is a post here relating to the number of visitors at a particular park there is always a comment from someone about how non-Americans should pay higher fees.  Just how high would a fee on non-Americans need to be to noticeably reduce visitation though?  These are people who can comfortably afford airline tickets, lodging, transportation, food, et

Nov 17th - 09:36am | A. Johnson

Nearly every national park requires "commerical interests" to survive. Think about it. In any case, the YNP reservation system itself was a "commercial" enterprise! $2 rez "fee" x 10000 per day x 100 days of summer (in 2021) = $2,000,000 in rez fees.  Not bad for a "free" YNP entrance rez!

Nov 17th - 09:29am | chris...

Beyond time.  If "managing visatation" means a financial litmus test must be passed than such a system goes against the NPS function.  The parks are here to preserve and protect OUR land so that we the people may visit and live among our public lands.  

Nov 17th - 02:12am | Stuiterbal

So the reserveration system was thrown out for commercial interests? What a waste. It seemed like an effective way to manage visitation.

Nov 16th - 10:55am | A. Johnson

Amen.

Essay | Update On Ambler Road In Alaska’s Brooks Range

Nov 17th - 08:47am | Steve M

Not sure why anyone tries to argue with EC - after all he knows more about any topic imaginable than anyone else possibly could, even the experts.  Just ask EC if you don't believe me.

Nov 16th - 20:03pm | ecbuck

Lee - your ignorance of business and finance is unbounded. There is nobody that has blisters on their hand and sweat on their brows more than those that work in the oil and gas industry.  The profit margins of the oil and gas industry are well below the average of all other industries.  You should thank them rather than condemn them. 

Nov 16th - 19:56pm | Lee Dalton

"Most of that pay is stock based compensation (non cash) and even with it, it is a miniscule fraction (thousanths of a percent)  of the company revenues.  "

Nov 16th - 14:54pm | ecbuck

Total BS Lee - the US isn't producing more oil because Biden is engaged in a war against oil production.  Why would you invest in more infrastructure when the President is telling you that you are not going to get a return on that investment.  And no, CEO "total pay" means nothing to gas prices or profitability.   Most of that pay is stock based compensation (non cash) and even with it, it is a

Nov 16th - 13:23pm | Lee Dalton

We already do: What is US number 1 export?     Searchable List of America's Most Valuable Export Products RankUS Export ProductYOY 1 Processed petroleum oils +46.9% 2 Crude oil +40.1% 3 Petroleum gases +104% 4 Cars +19%

Nov 16th - 13:11pm | Lee Dalton

Why are oil companies not producing more oil?     The reason that U.S. oil companies haven't increased production is simple: They decided to use their billions in profits to pay dividends to their CEOs and wealthy shareholders and simply haven't chosen to invest in new oil production.Mar 10, 2022

Nov 16th - 12:43pm | ecbuck

It's a global market until someone shut down their deliveries.  If open spigots are good, lets open ours rather than begging from others and sending our money overseas.  

Nov 16th - 11:59am | John Perreault

     U.S. exported 8.5 million barrels of petroleum per day in 2021 while importing 8.4  mbd. Perhaps we should move forward with destroying more of our wilderness, then we can continue to keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. We already have what we need and more. It's a fact!

Nov 16th - 11:45am | Kurt Repanshek

While there's so much attention on this article, it seems like a good time to remind all that the National Parks Traveler's year-end fundraiser is running through New Year's Eve. Your donations help make this forum possible, and bring these stories to the public's attention.

Nov 16th - 11:41am | Kurt Repanshek

It's a global market, EC. The more spigots opened, the more oil supplied, the less economic burden.U.S. diplomats have worked to find energy supplies worldwide that can help compensate for disruption to Russian oil and gas exports caused by sanctions or war. --Reuters.

Nov 16th - 11:38am | ecbuck

Kurt, how does buying oil from Saudi Arabia and Venuzuela help oil prices?  While I agree with A.

Nov 16th - 11:20am | A. Johnson

The Ambler Rd project, as proposed, crosses BLM lands and thus will require BLM approval.   Same for NPS.

Nov 16th - 11:12am | STEVE CARWILE

A problem with the Ambler Road plan is that while Congress anticipated a need for a (20 mile) route across the western GAAR Preserve, ANILCA does not grant the authority for gravel pits, maintenance camps, and an airstrip in the Preserve, as requested by Alaska DOT and BLM.  These executive actions are the responsibilty of the NPS to approve or not approve, not BLM, and should be rejected.  It

Nov 16th - 11:12am | Kurt Repanshek

Here's an interesting piece on both the Western Arctic Herd and the Porcupine Herd...https://alaskapublic.org/2022/11/08/western-arctic-caribou-herd-decline-...

Nov 16th - 11:08am | A. Johnson

Didn't the AK Pipeline benefit the Porcupine Herd of caribou?

Nov 16th - 11:06am | Kurt Repanshek

I believe it has more to do with trying to moderate global energy prices due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, not because the US is running out. 

Nov 16th - 11:06am | A. Johnson

Any increase in the production of oil, regardless of to whom it is sold, benefits ALL consumers of oil.  

Nov 16th - 10:52am | ecbuck

Kurt, if we are energy independent why are we begging the Saudis and Venuzuelans for oil?  Why are we draining the Strategic Oil Reserve while facing potential nuclear war with at least four countries?  Those aren't actions of a nation that is energy independent.   

Nov 16th - 10:36am | Kurt Repanshek

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2022/10/01/us-energy-independence-h...

Nov 16th - 10:22am | ecbuck

John, we were energy independant.  No more.  We now are begging the Saudis and Venuzuelans for oil.  I can assure you, they aren't worried about "wilderness".  When the lights go out and trucks can't get their diesel, you will see those shortages aren't "so called".  

Nov 16th - 06:57am | John Perreault

     My point is that our country already produces enough oil to be independent but is still affected by the greed of the oil companies and a variety of situations that continue to create so called "shortages" that drive the price at the pumps. Oil is a political weapon and it doesn't need to be. Both parties agree to this road? Not so sure.

National Park Service, Fish And Wildlife Service To Again Look At North Cascades For Grizzlies

Nov 16th - 17:06pm | A. Johnson

The North Cascades is one of the largest wild areas remaining in the lower 48 states, encompassing more than 95,000 square miles in north-central Washington. It includes North Cascades National Park and large areas of surrounding national forest  

Montana Judge Greatly Reduces Wolf Hunt Near Glacier, Yellowstone

Nov 16th - 15:52pm | chris...

I am indifferent on the hunting of wolves.  But at this point in history it is time to put an end to snare trapping.  Its not ethical, and with the proliferation of extremely accurate highly powered rifles its simply unnecessary.    

Review | This America Of Ours: Bernard And Avis DeVoto And The Forgotten Fight To Save The Wild

Nov 16th - 11:41am | Jonathan King

Sometimes I feel like I spend too much time emailing editors to remind them that Julia's surname was Child, not Childs. Maybe a comment will suffice?

Military Veterans And Gold Star Families Getting Free Lifetime Pass To Public Lands

Nov 16th - 08:40am | Anonymous

Walt, I fully agree that it is an official government document, but it's not listed as an acceptable form for getting the pass. It  should be, but that's a bureaucratic policy decision made by someone that probably has no idea what a form DD-214 is. Hopefully, someone will correct the error.

Nov 16th - 08:18am | Nameless

My park is accepting the DD214, mainly because I'm a Veteran-However, NPS Fees is saying that it should not be accepted. This shows a basic misunderstanding of Veterans. As stated, many vets (myself included) do not have any of those required forms of ID. As the DD214 is the required piece of ID to obtain any of those other IDs, I have instructed my park to accept it.

Nov 16th - 07:10am | WaltD

Of course a DD214 would be acceptable for the pass as its an official government document.  And no, the law includes ALL veterans honorably discharged, not just retirees.  It also probably includes those discharged "under honorable conditions", but I'm not positive.

Nov 15th - 20:46pm | Anonymous

A "veteran" is anyone honorably discharged from our Armed Forces.  Many veterans would not have one of the acceptable forms of ID.  Why not include a copy of one's DD-214 as a form of ID?  Or, is the term veteran being used incorrectly to identify only those who are military retirees?

Some Questions Raised Over Cumberland Island National Seashore's Human Carrying Capacity

Nov 15th - 22:28pm | Richard Timm

During my occasional visits to Cumberland Island, it is clear the staff is NOT effectively mantaining it, such as boards missing from the boardwalk, etc.  I do not see how they can manage a bigger and more complex park.  I also feel they are kidding themselves if they think the increased visitors will be spread out over the new accesses, when it is obvious they will be concentrated in the small

Push Being Made For Chesapeake National Recreation Area

Nov 15th - 18:10pm | Marylander

Long overdue.  Great idea

Nov 15th - 16:48pm | chris...

They just want to privatize more lands and profit off of them with recreation gov.  this has nothing to do with conservation or anything else.  The NPS has failed to even listen to the public let alone act in their good interests.   

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

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.