| Page 1164 | National Parks Traveler

For those of you who are running roughshod over the rest of us who want to use public lands for other than on foot or horseback, keep in mind the law of unintended consequences. There will come a time when large commercial interests will mount an attack on your closures and you will need all the support you can get to stop it.

Dec 18th - 13:49pm | Anonymous

Not sure about the 16 million for the Valles Caldera being and issue because it is already a federal property and it's going to be funded 3.5 million / year for 5 years regardless...

Dec 18th - 11:22am | Anonymous

If the Heritage Foundation opposes it you can be sure it's good legislation. Just my opinion.

Groups File Appeal To Block Coal Mine Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Dec 19th - 10:24am | Darin B

Well, it's easy to sit in your polluted cities, driving your Ford Valdez SUV's, driving one person per vehicle to work, and living in your urban sprawl neighborhoods to sit back and throw stones. The reality of it is this, the Mine is 50 miles via the highway from the entrance to Bryce Canyon. The 12 miles as the crow flies is through rugged terrain that rarely sees Man's footprints.

Dec 17th - 09:15am | Pittsburgh in t...

I agree, U.S. 89 is not meant to handle that capacity of heavy equipment and it would endanger the Utah tourism industry. It appears as though the mine would not be a threat to the park itself or an eyesore to those visiting the parks. Is it possible to mandate that the coal truck traffic be re-routed?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Brings Blight to the Beach at Hawaii's Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Dec 19th - 07:24am | Bob Janiskee

I don't know about you, Barky, but I seriously doubt that Congress will ever decide to "do something" about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, or even debate the issue. If the problem of marine trash is ever resolved, it'll be because of fundamental changes in the way countries all over the world use matter and energy resources.

Dec 19th - 06:47am | Barky

What a shame, a tragedy really. Your comparison between the gyres and air pollution is quite apt, hadn't thought of that before. I am convinced that we can solve this problem, just like we nearly solved our air pollution and ozone depletion problems in the past. It's going to take a concerted effort in awareness, education, and regulation just like those other problems.

American Indians in the Civil War? Petersburg National Battlefield is Part of the Story

Dec 18th - 22:53pm | Len Eagleburger

Many tribes fought each other in the Trans-Mississippi area.....

Dec 18th - 18:13pm | Bob Janiskee

Though published more than 50 years ago, Harold Keith's award winning novel "Rifles for Watie" still makes great reading. Highly recommended.

Dec 18th - 18:05pm | Anonymous

There was a Cherokee named Stand Watie who was a general in the Confederate Army. He was the last Confederate General to surrender. He and many Cherokees participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge in northwestern Arkansas.

Dec 18th - 16:30pm | Laura Amundson

My great-great-great-uncle, Baptise St. Martin, was a Chippewa who enlisted in the 30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. As a young child he probably was one of the Chippewa who had to march to Sandy Lake, Minnesota as part of the forced removal from northwestern Wisconsin (and then marched home again).

Dec 18th - 12:11pm | Bob Janiskee

Larry, I agree with Jim. He made it clear that Indians fought for both sides during the Civil War.

Dec 18th - 11:32am | Jim Burnett

Larry - You're certainly correct that Native Americans fought for both the North and South, and I touched on that briefly early in the story by noting, "Estimates of the number of American Indians who fought for either the Union or the Confederacy vary widely."

Dec 18th - 11:18am | Larry

You seem to have omitted that many Native Americans fought for the South.

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Steve Martin Hanging Up His Hat

Dec 18th - 20:39pm | Keeper

I have to go back to what Marjorie wrote in an earlier post that no one with heart problems should go in the Canyon. My group I was with riding to Plateau Point (a ride that Supt.

Dec 17th - 19:33pm | Anonymous

It is a fact that the number of inner canyon hikers who want the corridor trails free of mules represent a tiny minority. The vast majority of citizens wanted the mules to stay and would rather them left alone. Martin was acting as representative of this tiny minority and not acting in the interest of the citizens of the united states, or in accordance with the NPS mission statement.

Sections of Pacific Crest Trail Poached by Mountain Bikers; Could Problems Arise in National Parks?

Dec 18th - 15:41pm | Jeri Lee

My problem with other users on the Pacific Crest Trail, is that for one, the federal government under the National Trails Act, created this trail for hiking and horseback riding. There are other trails that mountainbiking and other off-roading activities are legal on. Here's something to think about, you wouldn't ride a bike in a pool would you?

Rare Motion Pictures Show Civil War Veterans at the 75th Gettysburg Battle Anniversary Reunion

Dec 18th - 10:27am | Jim Bond

I have and continue to enjoy my trips to Gettysburg. I hope that the Park Service will once again display the incredible collection of photographs of these reunion as they once did in the old visitors center. There is no place more moving to me than Gettysburg National Military Park. Thanks for this well done page.

Pruning the Parks: Holy Cross National Monument (1933-1950)

Dec 17th - 21:13pm | Dottie

OK, this is what I have come up with: Mt Vernon is not a National Park Service site. George Washington's birthplace is a National Park Service site at Colonial Beach, VA. Two entirely different entities and I must confess I never realized that. But I still cling to the notion that just because a president was born down the street doesn't mean the house should be a shrine forever more.

Dec 17th - 14:41pm | WWW

I completely agree with these comments thus far. I would add the Vanderbilt Mansion to that list as it only became an NPS site because FDR didn't want the land adjacent to his home to fall to developers so it was sold to the NPS for $1.00 and a huge tax write off for the relative who inhereted it.

Dec 17th - 12:08pm | Lee Dalton

Actually, Mt. Vernon is not Washington's birthplace. That IS an NPS area. (At least I think it is . . . . gonna have to double-check that.) But your comment about "bold and brash" Congresscritters seeking "Federal funding for their little piece of importance back home" is right on.

Dec 17th - 11:42am | Dottie

To Lee and Chris - you both have said what I have thought and could not begin to say as eloquently. There are so many sites that are not of national importance, or even of importance, that could easily forego the budget and have it put to excellent use in our truly National Parks - Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and on and on.

Dec 17th - 10:19am | Chris

Lee- Not heresy at all: I totally agree. You picked the right word: courage. Nobody has the courage to take a reasonable look at the national parks to find ones that maybe aren't of national significance. Add to my list: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Steamtown NHS, Minidoka NHS (already duplicated subject matter at Manzanar).

Dec 17th - 08:57am | Lee Dalton

This may be regarded as heresy, but might it not be a good time now to inventory all our NPS areas with the eye toward some more pruning? Perhaps if we considered cutting the inventory of some of our assorted parks, monuments, historic sites and whatever other monikers are out there, the Park Service might be able to actually properly care for those that are left.

Lost in Time: A Manuscript From Horace Kephart, A Driver Behind the Designation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Dec 17th - 12:47pm | Lyle

I have been a fan of Horace since I checked out a copy of Camping and Woodcraft from my grade school library 60 odd years ago. A fellow classmate of mine was also a fan and we alternately checked out the book and read it until it was quite worn. A few years ago I was able to find a pristine copy at a used book store.

Reader Participation Day: How Would You Cut the National Park Service's Budget?

Dec 17th - 12:32pm | Dave Crowl

Maybe at Great Smokey N.P. you could make them buy a pass to be able to park or leave the hi-way in side the park. That way through motorist would not have to buy a permit.

Dec 17th - 11:17am | justinh

We shouldn't be asking this question, because it further legitmates the narrative that the parks' budget should be cut. Instead, the narrative should be reframed to recognize the parks as inviolable--i.e. another "third rail" issue in American politics. There are plenty of other things that can and should be cut in the federal budget.

Dec 17th - 11:01am | Bob Janiskee

Under the terms of an agreement with the state of Tennessee, which funded construction of the park's main road (Hwy 441, Newfound Gap Rd.), the federal government cannot charge admission fees for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The state of Tennessee insisted that motorists be able to drive on the state-funded Hwy 441 without charge.

Dec 17th - 10:51am | Dave Crowl

Charge an entrance fee at Great Smokey Mountains or consider giving maintenance, staffing and upkeep back to the state. Raise entrance fees at all parks. Time to trim parks not add parks, which could include Great Smokey if they do not submit to fees.

Dec 17th - 07:37am | Chris

File this one under "Never Gonna Happen" but I'd sure love to see Congress put some restraint on itself (ha!) and place a moratorium on establishing new park units. There are new parks established every five minutes, it seems, but when was the last time a park was abolished? The NPS timeline says 1981. Once a park is established, of course, it's near impossible to abolish.

Dec 16th - 21:29pm | Anon

Each year the NPS comes up with a couple new programs in WASO or Region. For instance, do you know we have a Global Warming Liaison ? Global warming is a problem for Congress and the president to address. Eliminate the new programs that were created in the last 5 years. Cut all travel training that could be put on Tel-Net.

Dec 16th - 18:53pm | Garvin Preston

How about turning the battlefield parks (Gettysburg, Cowpens, War in the Pacific, etc.) over to the Department of Defense, where many of them used to be anyway? Few politicians want to cut the Defense budget, the military has volunteer manpower (read: enlisted men and women) in easy access, and they have a tradition of service.

Dec 16th - 13:56pm | Ranger Pete

Since Ranger Careers was implemented, we have seen a steady rise in ranger pay as well as in the central offices. If we are serious about cutting budgets and reallocating funds to parks and projects that are truly in need, we need to consider a reduction in the pay rates to park service employees.

Mules In Grand Canyon National Park: Should They Stay?

Dec 17th - 11:26am | Anonymous

Actually, not all of the above is correct. The majority of trails in the Grand Canyon have their origins as game trails and Native American prehistoric and historic routes into the Canyon.

Appalachian Mountain Club Pursues Sustainable Forestry In Northern Maine

Dec 17th - 11:06am | justinh

This would seem to be a puzzling giveaway. Did AMC receive anything in exchange for this?

Can Congress Pass Omnibus Land Bill Before Session Ends?

Dec 17th - 10:46am | justinh

Anonymous, The problem is that the uses you mention can often be incompatible. For example, hunting and backpacking obviously don't always do well together in the same space. I'm not sure who constitutes the "elitist group" you mention. It's hard to see how the omnibus bill, which preserves public access, is the worst thing that has ever happened to public access.

Dec 17th - 02:03am | Anonymous

This would be the worst thing to happen to PUBLIC access that has ever happened. The point of having public lands is so that all of the public can use that land as they see fit. Hunting fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, camping, etc. Not so some elitist group dictate how they think we should use these lands

President Clinton's Birthplace Now A National Historic Site

Dec 17th - 09:47am | Anonymous

Democratic presidents or their supporters seem more willing than Republicans to donate property to NPS. As I understand it, the Reagan Boyhood Home is awaiting purchase (not donation)--and the asking price is much more than the NPS appraisal.

Dec 16th - 18:03pm | Kurt Repanshek

Ecbuck, I would tend to agree...

Dec 16th - 15:44pm | ecbuck

Kurt - I'm not "blaming" anybody in particular I'm just noting the irony. What historical significance does Clinton's birthplace hold? What resource needs to be protected? And this is not a political statement (though the absence of recent Republican Presidents from the park list is notable), I would be just as skeptical of a Bush or Reagan birthplace site.

Piping Plover Production Up At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Dec 17th - 09:43am | Dave

Hey Anonymous....Good point! Did you also know that just over 10,000 years ago the three biggest cats to ever walk the earth, including the saber-tooth tiger, all lived in N.C.? They hunted mammoths, camels, giant sloths, and mastodons. For some reason I don't think everything is suppose to be here forever.

Dec 17th - 09:15am | Anonymous

Most everyone agrees that Cape Hatteras is the most southern breeding range of the piping plover. Dozens of birding books say the same thing. Is it really possible to have increased numbers in that area as global warming drives most other species farther north?

Dec 16th - 14:53pm | Ryan

Although I can certainly empathize with the people in that videos plight, that is one side of the story.

Dec 16th - 13:39pm | Anonymous

Google ''Piping Mad'' and watch it on the vimeo site. There's more truth in that than anything the environmental lawyers throw out. Also remember it's not just an ORV issue...it's about pedestrian access to historic places within your National Park. I certainly would not want anybody in an seasonal enclosure.

UPDATED: Hoodoos, Winter Solstice, and Lunar Eclipse Converge At Bryce Canyon National Park

Dec 17th - 09:42am | Lee Dalton

"Dark Ranger. . . ." I LOVE that!

Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Parks Ready for Winter Season to Open

Dec 17th - 08:18am | Connie Hopkins

dear Anonymous, You will LOVE it! We went n January of 2009 as well as spent Christmas 2009 there! It's a magical place any time of year but Winter is even more special!

Dec 16th - 13:41pm | Anonymous

Going to Yellowstone in January...cant wait!

Shenandoah National Park Ranger Roy Sullivan Set the World Record for Being Hit by Lightning

Dec 16th - 20:18pm | CZeke

I wonder if you can shed some light on a part of this story that confuses me. Most sources say that Sullivan killed himself over unrequited love... so what about his wife? Her own lightning strike gets brought up, but nobody even mentions her name, let alone what happened to her.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agrees Wolverines Need ESA Protection, But They'll Have to Wait

Dec 16th - 16:05pm | Keeper

Just had a thought that seems to be true. Get the Wolverines the vote and we might have something. Illegals seem to have it better!

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