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Anon 10:13, I do not understand your questions, and in any event, I most certainly don't believe they are simple. What do you mean by "alter or eliminate cultural history"? Are you concerned about the possibility of Congress eliminating some of the cultural-historical national parks? Your reference to access for the physically challenged is also confusing, at least in this particular context.

Feb 15th - 21:13pm | Anonymous

Is it part of the NPS mission statement or within their power to alter or eliminate cultural history that has lived on through the entire history of a National Park say for 100 plus years? Is it desirable to take such action? The elimination of access for the physically challenged that have had access for the entire 100+ years?

Feb 15th - 11:59am | Rangertoo

Indeed. In fact, if you were to step back and take a look at the amount of money, number of employees, and number of parks that are devoted in whole or substantial part to preservation of history and culture, you would have to conclude that this is the primary mission of the National Park Service. As has been noted, there are many parks with no natural resources.

Efforts to Regulate Off-Leash Dogs at Golden Gate National Recreation Area Spark Debate

Feb 16th - 13:30pm | Anonymous 12:51

I am sympathetic and an advocate for wild things. I am one, LOL! What I don't appreciate is when some creatures like the Plover or the Spotted Owl and their plight is hijacked to further an agenda that has a very dark underbelly of motivations that ARE hurtful in the end. I don't like it when they are used as the next poster child by very unhappy people, it would appear.

Feb 16th - 13:17pm | Matt Stubbs

Bob I understand your stance on playing GOD, but the Environmentalists do not. They choose to play God every time they kill one creature to protect another or when they rope off an area expecting the birds to just come. SINGLE SPECIES MANAGEMENT...

Feb 16th - 13:00pm | Bob Janiskee

Implying that (efforts to save the) snowy plover and spotted owl should be viewed as "tools for some with bigger agendas" or that species preservation should be viewed in the context of "hurtful agendas" begs the question of where species preservation ought to rank in the grand scheme of things.

Feb 16th - 12:54pm | Anonymous

The GGNRA is a Recreation Area, not a Nature Preserve. The use of Fort Funston for dog walking by San Francisco and Peninsula residents far pre-dated the ownership by the GGNRA. It is quite bold that the GGNRA think that they can now dictate the citizens of that area how we can use our own land less than 10 years since they were stopped from doing the same thing.

Feb 16th - 11:51am | Anonymous

I can remember conversations with US F&W Biologists in the early 80's at Willapa Bay. The Snowy Plover and the Spotted Owl have a lot in common. Certainly useful tools for some with bigger agendas. Hope for rational discussions that leave hurtful agendas outside.

Feb 16th - 10:27am | Ron Saunders

Since I am concerned with the different but similar situation at Cape Hatteras, I found it interesting that the "Plover" is again involved. I would be interested to see what organization is involved in this coincidence.

Updated: National Park Service Budget Would Grow by $138 Million Under President's FY12 Proposal

Feb 16th - 09:57am | Anonymous

Michael and D-2

Feb 16th - 07:32am | Michael Kellett

Thank you, d-2 for saying it far better than I could. And yes, Anonymous, you are right that "this is scary." What is scary is that there are millions of well-intentioned Americans such as yourself, who have fallen for the pernicious economic propaganda put out by self-serving big corporations and their political handmaidens -- including the scaremongering about the deficit.

Feb 15th - 22:30pm | d-2

Anonymous, you not only seem to know nothing about how the economy works, but you contradict yourself.

Feb 15th - 21:37pm | GDurkee

Is it required that (critics) use CAPS to EMPHASIZE their ... opinions? Hey, Krugman has both a Nobel prize and a solid command of English. If you're just going to deliver unfounded rants, at least switch to lower case... . This comment was edited to remove gratuitous attacks. The underlying point was not altered-- Ed.

Feb 15th - 17:19pm | Anonymous

Man, this is scary. So who's going to be able to afford to take a vacation and visit the Parks if they don't have jobs? I guess the Governmental Environmental Complex that owes it's existence to the taxes collected from the private sector. KRUGMAN'S on CRACK but he's not alone!

Feb 15th - 16:14pm | Michael Kellett

Increasing the National Park Service budget -- and expanding the National Park System -- is one of the best investments we can make. It will create more jobs, protect irreplaceable natural and historic treasures, and offer Americans affordable family vacations. We should be spending even more, but this is a positive step. This will still represent a tiny portion of the budget.

Feb 15th - 13:45pm | Also Anonymous

Stimulate and quit demonizing private sector! That would drive the economy and construction in the big picture not borrowing money from the Chinese to build restrooms, visitor centers and anything else that's nice but necessary unless you want to bring back the CCC to rebuild the work ethic and not the entitlement mentality. :)

Feb 15th - 12:59pm | Anonymous

Nearly $81 million is proposed to be cut from the Park Service's construction budget, a subtraction that would directly impact construction projects. These aren't just difficult times, they're serious times, and you can just feel it when looking for a construction job. It's great news that the National Park Service budget would grow by $138 Million with the President's new proposed budget .

Federal Judge Refuses To Block Yellowstone National Park Bison From Being Slaughtered

Feb 16th - 09:42am | Marjorie

My step-father had a photo of the buffalo that he shot on the Arizona House Rock Valley range. He would not explain why it was leaning against a barb-wire fence. Later I found out it was part of the annual herd cull. I agree: some trophy.

Feb 16th - 09:32am | Chris

Rounding up 500 bison in a corral and sending them to slaughter does not a "hunting season" make. I don't know any hunters who will get a trophy out of that.

Feb 16th - 09:20am | jsmacdonald

One of the points, whether one accepts a rangeland view of wildlife management or not, is whether the current range is sufficient to support the species. New evidence is suggesting that the amount of actually wild bison that do not have cattle genes is much lower than previously thought and that Yellowstone may truly have one of the last reservoirs of wild bison.

Feb 16th - 09:09am | Jamie Marty

There is not a lot of wiggle room in the difference between responsible rangeland and animal management and the lack of it. Bison are cattle, wild or not, that difference has no bearing on the responsibility of land managers be they government agencies or private.

Feb 16th - 08:55am | Bob Janiskee

Jamie, you open your comment by stating flatly that "Bison are a cattle species" and then go on to say "it matters not whether we think they are wildlife or not." The thing is, whereas cattle are domesticated animals by definition , bison are not. That's an important distinction.

Feb 16th - 08:19am | Jamie Marty

Bison are a cattle species. To allow any bovine species to overpopulate their range, deplete the resources of that range, spill over into other ranges in search of food simply because we are sentimental about their "wildness" is as I said before irresposible. Once again, the carrying capacity of their range needs no be established and the herd population kept there.

Feb 15th - 22:20pm | jsmacdonald

The earth-shattering news from today that has us all scrambling to understand what this means is Governor Schweitzer's announcement that Montana, at least for the next 90 days, will not allow the importation of Yellowstone buffalo through Montana to slaughter facilities. Given the location of Stephens Creek, this essentially ends shipment to slaughter of all buffalo for that time.

Feb 15th - 11:05am | Ryan

Why not vaccinate the cows from brucellosis?

Feb 15th - 10:33am | C.C.

Jamie~ No one is talking about requisitioning private land outside the park. Several conservation groups have aquired acres to have more room outside the park for the bison to migrate. There is also public land that should be available to this herd. Two ranchers who are closest to the herd and other property owners do not mind the bison.

Yellowstone National Park Officials Working on Management Plan for Lake Area

Feb 16th - 08:01am | Jack

This year will be my eleventh summer working in Yellowstone N.P. I have worked for Xanterra since they took over from TW services years ago and I can honestly say they have treated me fairly and with respect. On at least two occasions, they went way out of their was to accommodate my personal problems.

Public Comments Run Against Extension of Oyster Company Lease at Point Reyes National Seashore

Feb 16th - 07:30am | Sarah Rolph

These points are largely non-responsive, Kurt. No, I don’t work for the Lunnys. As has been pointed out by another commenter here, I’m a freelance writer working on a book about this story.

Feb 15th - 19:41pm | Anonymous

Yes, most of those dollars did go to unions, retirements and am not sure whether the in-park construction was union or not but the point is that an appreciation for private sectors and those attitudes that create jobs (not Gov't), wealth and strength is needed if not required to regain our footing.

Feb 15th - 17:58pm | Kurt Repanshek

Anonymous, just don't mention Rocky Mountain Oysters too loudly around the mules and things should be fine.

Feb 15th - 17:46pm | Anonymous

Referencing the 3-1 public comment ratio against renewing the lease and the mention of the Grand Canyon Mule Ride EA Comments; The ratio between those who wanted the Mules be removed to those that wanted them eliminated was 6-1 supporting the Mules. NPS response was that it wasn't a popularity contest. The Mules and Oysters need to stick together, apparently.

Feb 15th - 14:35pm | y_p_w

Kurt - I certainly understand your points, but it could get interesting if they ever went to court. Over the years the NPS knowingly allowed these violations under the Johnsons to continue without the threat of shutting down the operation before the lease ran out. A good lawyer could argue that it wasn't a big enough deal to the NPS until really late in the game.

Feb 15th - 12:14pm | Kurt Repanshek

y_p_w, The lease documents specifically state the government can condemn the property to acquire title outright. And, as I noted in an earlier story on this issue, the solicitor's office in 2004 stated that:

Feb 15th - 11:54am | y_p_w

Kurt Repanshek:

Feb 15th - 10:50am | In Deep

Kurt, pretty obvious that government has got the idea they can do anything they want. Doesn't matter whether it's good for the country or not. Just crazy out there.

U.S. Senator, Colorado Governor Lobby National Park Service To Allow Bike Race Through Colorado National Monument

Feb 16th - 07:17am | Marjorie

Every time I've been on a bike trail after a professional race, I've spent a lot of time picking up gatorade bottles and goo packets. One wonders if the race organizers have thought about this issue.

A Short History of the Flat Hat's "Lemon Squeezer" Pinch

Feb 16th - 07:11am | llsmith47

Great info... many park guests ask about the reason for the "flat hat"... unfortunately when the wind blows, you are lifted off the ground!! :) ---The Night Ranger, Badlands NP

Traveler's View: The National Park Service Failed Its Mission With Plan For Addition Lands at Big Cypress National Preserve

Feb 15th - 22:49pm | d-2

Great editiorial, Kurt. I hope you have the time for more.

Feb 15th - 14:14pm | Matt Stubbs

ANON Name a flora in CHNS affected by the ORV use on Sand and make sure it is unique????

Feb 15th - 12:04pm | Anonymous

Hi Kurt,

Feb 15th - 11:57am | Ron Saunders

Ryan Well said and well taken. I've got no problem with that. Ron (obxguys)

Feb 15th - 11:14am | Ryan

Ron, "Is it possible that there is a trend where a lot of people were promised a lot of things and then in actuallity, somewhere along the line, someone decided that there was no need to live up to those promises."

Reader Participation Day: Do You Send National Park Postcards?

Feb 15th - 12:27pm | free 3ds

park gift shops still have racks and racks of postcards, sending text messages and emailing shots you took with your cellphone are more immediate. But have those methods replaced your search for the perfect postcard and the time spent jotting down thoughts to those you left.

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