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UPDATED: Economists, Academics Urge President Obama To Protect Public Lands, Create New National Parks

Dec 9th - 07:49am | Kurt Repanshek

Zeb, for what it's worth, I've raised the even-odd day solution with our local recreation officials. They don't think it'd work. And, sadly, neither do I. There'd always be someone -- either a hiker or biker or equestrian -- who refused to go along.

Dec 8th - 21:34pm | Zebulon

Lee, I don't doubt your perception, and I'm sure that there are a..holes bicyclists like there are other bad apples in every user group.  That being said, the legend that cyclists are out to mow down everybody is just BS.  In a collision, everybody would get injured: cyclist and all.  So, just out of self preservation, cyclists will avoid collisions.  

Dec 8th - 16:17pm | Lee Dalton

I know stats may not support the "myth," but the fact remains that far too many bikers are simply not at all concerned about good trail manners.  Your comment about current users not wanting to share "public good" with others is just a bit off base.

Dec 8th - 12:31pm | Zebulon

The good old myth of the dangerous cyclist.  The fact is that all the stats I've seen don't support it.  I think it's a case of incorrect perception becoming reality. A spooked horse, is definitely more dangerous than a cyclist.  And just about anything can spook a horse. It all comes down to the current users not wanting to share a public good with the newcomers.

Dec 8th - 09:31am | Anonymous

I'm with you, Lee!  Those "piles (green) of poop," aren't nearly as dangerous and much more environmentally sound:).

Dec 8th - 09:04am | Lee Dalton

I dunno, Zeb.  When my old knees are hurting it doesn't matter if I'm hiking or biking.  But there have been more than just a few times when I've been hiking local trails where bicycles are permitted and have been nearly run down by some clown who comes screaming down the trail on his mountain bike without any regard for who or what might be on the trail ahead.

Dec 7th - 20:52pm | Zebulon

If your knees hurt walking, you would probably be able to ride a bicycle: by all means an environmentally friendly mode of transportation (and one that does not leave giant piles of poop behind).  Too bad, it's banned in wildnerness and most parks. :)

Reader Participation Day: Why Are National Parks So Controversial?

Dec 8th - 23:24pm | y_p_w

Kurt Repanshek: And I'm told the motorcycle noise is pretty bad in Yellowstone around the end of July, when bikers are heading to Sturgis and make a pass through the park, or head through the park on their way home from Sturgis.

Dec 8th - 21:28pm | Zebulon

Anon.  Your compromise is no compromise (if I were an offroad motorcyclist) at all.  On the other hand, allowing them on say even day only would be a real compromise.  They still get to enjoy themselves, and you get peace and quiet half of the time.  That's compromise.

Dec 8th - 19:04pm | Kurt Repanshek

And I'm told the motorcycle noise is pretty bad in Yellowstone around the end of July, when bikers are heading to Sturgis and make a pass through the park, or head through the park on their way home from Sturgis.

Dec 8th - 18:58pm | Anonymous

I also said that it was likely the motorcyclists were having a fine time with their National Park experience.  I suppose if an environmental impact statement said that the noise was bothering the bighorn sheep or the ground squirrels, then something would be done.  People who like quiet well.... 

Dec 8th - 17:24pm | Anonymous

Even when "compromise" isn't a dirty word, it's very often hard to recognize something as a compromise. 

Dec 8th - 16:23pm | Lee Dalton

Anon and Zeb, you are both correct.  And therein lies the dilemma.  Unfortunately, "compromise" has become a dirty word lately.

Dec 8th - 15:21pm | Zebulon

Anon: I'm not taking a stance here, but it's interesting that your observation is how it ruined "your" experience.  National parks are public goods, not private preserves, and do require some compromise on all users.  

Dec 8th - 13:26pm | Anonymous

I was recently in Canyonlands National Park.  I was standing at one of the overlooks in the Islands in the Sky district enjoying the silence.  Suddenly, I heard the roar of motorcycles and saw a pack of them riding the White Rim Road.  Noise carries in the clear desert air.  While they were no doubt having a fine time on their motorcycles, they were ruining my park experience.  So there's 'cont

Dec 8th - 13:07pm | Zebulon

Rick B., on one hand you have enviro fanatics who basically want to kick all humans out of the park, and the other, you have industries that would love to extract every single resource out the land.  I'm somewhere in the middle, and I simply would like to ride my bike offroad.  

Dec 8th - 11:45am | Anonymous

Sorry Rick, if you can't get the idea the English Major critic in you is overwhelming other qualities that could be productive.  I have the same issue with some that get great mileage out of a Harvard degree so don't feel bad :).  Rock on Parks (with reason).

Dec 8th - 11:24am | Rick B.

Anonymous at 5:49am. I have no idea what you're talking about. Try asking me your hypothetical again with correct spelling and sentence structure so I can understand what you're asking. I don't really care much for ridiculous hypotheticals, but we'll see.

Dec 8th - 10:54am | Anonymous

There is controversy because people love the parks and everyone has his/her own vision for what the parks should be.  I, for one, don't want anything ugly or industrial encroaching on park land, no matter how politically correct the landscape scar.

Dec 8th - 07:49am | Anonymous

Rick B:

Dec 8th - 00:27am | Rick B.

And, Zeb, because there is a faction who will never be satisfied until every park has been squeezed dry of every bit of marketable resource. It is hard to compromise with such people, although as we saw a couple of years ago, we CAN vote them out of office.

Dec 7th - 20:47pm | Zebulon

Because perceptions of what should be acceptable in a National Parks diverge, and there is a faction that will never be satisfied until the parks have reached a holy level of environmental purity.  It's hard to compromise with such people.

Dec 7th - 20:16pm | Chip B

As has already been mentioned, "follow the money". The cynic in me tends to believe that $$$$ either rules the world (or is trying damn hard to do so) - which tends to explain why compromise (in anything involving government) is non-existant.

Dec 7th - 16:09pm | y_p_w

George:

Dec 7th - 12:44pm | Rick B.

A good question, and already some good answers.

Dec 7th - 09:52am | George

The National Park Service organic act set rather strict standards for protection of the parks.  There will always be some who want to introduce activities that are not consistent with those standards, and they will pick a fight if they don't get their way.  However, if all their demands were met, the parks would become more like national forests or BLM public lands. 

Dec 7th - 09:26am | Preston Filbert

   Turning the other way on the question (and putting aside the media's need to foment debate), there's a reassuring aspect to all this controversy, as well: It's because a lot of people really care about their national parks, which should be a good thing.

Dec 7th - 08:44am | Lee Dalton

While I agree completely with both Bogator and Raven, I can't help but think there is a much more simple -- and perhaps sinister -- reason. Money and power!  (Which, in this old world, are often one and the same.)

Dec 7th - 07:57am | Raven Watcher

Lack of compromise, yes, but its more than that.  Around 100 years ago, the powers that be, whomever that may be, could make decisions for themselves without serious worry of being waggled a finger at, be it by special interest groups or by the powers above them.  It seems now, you just can't make any descision without having it picked apart, destroyed, and turned into a multi-million dollar la

Dec 7th - 07:05am | Bogator

I think the problem is that Americans have forgotten the art of compromise. In all of the situations you mentioned, you have two extreme opposing sides who believe that their way is the only way and refuse to listen to any opposing view. This seems to be what is also happening in Washington today.

Bluffs Lodge Along The Blue Ridge Parkway Shuttered For 2011

Dec 8th - 19:21pm | Ray Heyser

For over 20 years the Lodge was our favorite stop when traveling the parkway.  My wife and I are hoping that some how the Lodge and Coffeshop will be back in Business. It has many wonderful memories for us and our family.

"Upper Lot" At Ridge Trailhead on Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park To Be Permanently Closed

Dec 8th - 14:40pm | Anonymous

I'm really envious of your location!!  It's a bummer that you and others close to you that have no doubt had to deal with the trash and impact of non-locals can't enjoy the more convenient access to the trail.

Dec 8th - 14:38pm | Anonymous

I see both sides of the story.  However, in my opinion, it does take some of the reward for being extra adventurous and getting there before dawn away.  Very few people will venture out before dawn to get a spot that's almost a mile closer to the trailhead.  Those that do (bear in mind that I'm not one of them, merely playing devil's advocate) should be able to park in one of the spaces up top.

Hiker Wants Great Smokies Mountain National Park To Divulge Comments On Proposed Backcountry Fee

Dec 8th - 13:48pm | Karina

My husband and I backpacked in GSMNP three years ago and found there to be very few backcountry campers but also very little trail maintenance.

Dec 6th - 20:31pm | Anonymous

Well Owen, would you accept if the New Congress and President in January of 2013 asked you to be Director of the National Park Service.  With some character at the top (Trickle Down) those things you mentioned just might have a shot (openness and transparency).

Dec 6th - 16:57pm | Anonymous

You can be sure Park Headquarters is well staffed every day.

Mount Rainier National Park Holiday Ornament

Dec 8th - 09:34am | Kurt Repanshek

Sorry Ande, they're not being sold.

Dec 8th - 09:25am | Ande

How can I order this ornament

House Natural Resources Committee Hearing On ESA Presents Diverging Viewpoints

Dec 8th - 09:27am | Anonymous

As opposed to:  "If I were an American individual, I'd be/have been very worried."

Dec 8th - 08:57am | Lee Dalton

Be very wary, everyone.  "strengthening and updating the Endangered Species Act" may be political doublespeak from the Party of No.  It will all depend on exactly who they want to benefit by "strengthening and updating the Endangered Species Act." If I were an endangered plant or animal, I'd be very worried.

Proposed Backcountry Fee At Great Smoky Mountains National Park Would Be A First For Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers

Dec 8th - 09:23am | Kitty Benzar

Not surprising at all that the ATC would support this fee. Most of the organized groups that purport to be representing hikers and other backcountry users have long since been co-opted into being sock puppets for the agencies. One recent example: Washington has just started requiring a fee for all access to trails on state land, and it was spearheaded by the Washington Trails Association.

Dec 7th - 04:56am | Martin Hunley

Thanks for the article. I get the Appalachian Trail Conservancy magazine Journal. The last edition has an article in it about the fees and the way it is wrote they are in support of the fee. This was done after they had a meeting with the park personnel before they would make a stand on the issue..... Looks like the GSMNP has some pull. Please keep this issue going.

Dec 6th - 22:04pm | Martin Hunley

@ Tom, Very good points. I have over the years been at most of the backcountry  sites. I have rarely seen a place that was overcrowded except where it was close to the road. I believe this is a big concern if this fee is started because then it opens the door to start charging other fees. This is double taxation at its best.

Reader Participation Day: Do We Need More Interpretive Rangers, Or Law Enforcement Rangers, in National Parks?

Dec 7th - 23:25pm | The Moustache

" Operating with an overpaid seasonal 'gypsy' front-line staff doesn't provide the best for the visitors or the park, not to mention it's a poor use of money, having to retrain every year."

A Year in the Life ... of Lassen Volcanic National Park

Dec 7th - 22:19pm | Meg

I wish someone would do something like this with the Old Faithful webcam.  This is cool.

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

Dec 7th - 15:54pm | Marty

The reason most of use choose to conceal and carry guns is for self-protection. Like Uncle Lar notes above, violent crimes sadly DO occur in our national parks. If you don't want to carry a gun to protect yourself or your loved ones that is certainly your right. As for me, I hope I never have to use it, but I like having the "insurance policy" that my gun--and my training--provides me.

Rehabilitating Forney Ridge Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Forever

Dec 7th - 12:44pm | HREpp

Great article! Thanks for writing this, Danny. What an enormous project! I still can't believe they hauled and placed all those boulders. Not to mention they placed them so carefully that the steps are easy to ascend--I've walked some stairways up to buildings that trip you up, but had no problem hiking back up the Forney Ridge Trail!

100 National Park Quizzes

Dec 7th - 12:01pm | Kurt Repanshek

Kudos to the professor, Rob. Kurt hasn't aced one yet, and so doesn't think of creating one!

Dec 7th - 11:45am | Rob Mutch

Kudos to Bob and Kurt for doing all this work on the quizzes. I forwarded this link on to our Crater Lake Institute Facebook fans. Rob :o)

Dec 7th - 08:53am | Lee Dalton

I'm not sure whether to thank you or curse you, Bob.  On the one hand here is a chance to jump in and have a lot of fun with many quizzes I missed. On the other hand, I have other things to do. But I guess they will just have to wait . . . .

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