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

Dec 15th - 18:04pm | Anonymous

Hate to say it but i little better marketing wouldnt hurt.. cant rely on pbs to do it all.

Dec 15th - 15:38pm | Anonymous

I would start with charge backs for search and rescues.

Dec 15th - 12:29pm | pkrnger

In many respects, the NPS' budget has already hit rock bottom. Perhaps a better question is not how to cut more, but at what point will further cuts warrant closing a park because reduced staff cannot provide the needed services to protect and preserve park resources? I look forward to a time of peace and a recovered economy.

Dec 15th - 10:32am | Gaelyn

JLA is right. Currently NPS has to rely on donations and partners for "extra" revenue. Staff can help educate the public about the difference and encourage participation. But only if there is staff.

Dec 15th - 08:59am | JLA

For raising fees to have any significant impact, the law regarding fee revenue utilization would need to be changed. Currently fee revenues can only be used to cover the costs related to collecting the fees and specific types of maintenance and resource projects.

Dec 15th - 07:57am | Bob Janiskee

Saying that it's inappropriate to reduce park entrance fees for seniors because seniors are "the wealthiest segment of American society" is a troublesome statement on several counts. For one thing, the incidence of poverty among the elderly is only slightly lower than in younger age groups.

Dec 15th - 07:03am | Bob

Agreed, I don't mind the fees. People pay $70/day per person for Disney World, a few bucks for a park shouldn't hurt most of us. If the parks had weekly free days, as many museums do, they'd remain open to those people for whom money is tight.

Dec 15th - 06:12am | Barky

Take a look at the fees. It costs money to run these parks, to keep the visitors safe, to protect & preserve (or even restore) the environment and historical buildings & artifacts, and to provide interpretation & guides. Nothing is free. We need to acknowledge that fact and act responsibly by paying equitable fees to access these national treasures.

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

Dec 15th - 17:30pm | Anonymous

Days after endorsing the killing of more wolves, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has added the wolverine to his hit list in the war on endangered species.

Dec 14th - 20:37pm | Teri Travis

Wolverines need protect Now! Furthermore, Alaskan wolverines also need Protection!

Dec 14th - 17:29pm | Ranger

Please clarify that this decision applies to wolverines in the contiguous 48 states, not in Alaska, and that there are wolverine populations further to the north, not just in the areas listed in paragraph 4. Also, thanks for providing a link to the press release.

Dec 14th - 17:26pm | Critter supporter

You want to see how hard it would be to remove all the people on the John Muir Trail in the Sierras? The way it is now Wolverines can't live there. An analogy:

Dec 14th - 16:54pm | Nem

That is so wrong. They know the wolverines are in danger, why the hell can't they take action now??

Dec 14th - 15:17pm | Joan M

No wildlife should have to wait to be protected/saved or helped. They deserve more than the illegals get in this country. When are the people that run this country going to wake up and smell the trees.

Dec 14th - 12:27pm | Critter supporter

Just wondering if there might be something to investigate why Wolverines have disappeared from the Sierra Nevadas that might conflict with the idea that climate change is the culprit.

Dec 14th - 10:32am | rdm24

It's ridiculous the way the FWS is able to simply ignore its mandate to evaluate these candidate species. But I suppose that's because Congress refuses to provide funding to make that possible.

Dec 14th - 08:01am | anonymous

Interesting that they see climate change as their biggest threat. A long known but not much spoken of threat to the Wolverine's existence in the Sierras is the human traffic that they just can't accept. So many inconvenient truths out there. :):)

Piping Plover Production Up At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Dec 15th - 16:45pm | Ryan

I would like to know more about the NPS killing all other animals to protect the plovers, is this documented anywhere? Does the park have a written policy to destroy predators, or is this one incident that we do not know all the details about? Thank you.

Dec 15th - 12:33pm | Dr. West

Wonder why the piping plovers and turtles had such a great 2010 in Hatteras? The Atlantic Ocean around the Outer Banks region was about as quiet as it could be this year. Ask any kite boarder or longtime OBX surfer. No wave action equals zero over wash.....period! Don't believe them. Check out the REAL SCIENCE at the Duck Research Pier in Duck, N.C. Once your on the site, click on wave height.

Dec 13th - 22:45pm | Anonymous

The PROPER name for the "UNIT" is Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. The recreational area component of the name is important, sorry. The NPS only chooses to use the allowed short name.

Mission

Dec 15th - 13:19pm | Kurt Repanshek

Thanks so much for your kind words, Lana. We try, and some days it's a bigger struggle than others.

Dec 15th - 13:09pm | Lana

I just want to say thank you so much for such a wonderful site. I've been following this blog for at least a few years and am always so impressed with the depth of the content. Accurate information and stunning images make for a great resource on our national treasures.

Scuba Diver Dies at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Dec 15th - 13:02pm | Lana

This is tragic. My heartfelt condolences to the family and all of those who were involved in this incident.

Miserable Weather Makes for Tough Climbing Rescue in Yosemite National Park

Dec 15th - 12:43pm | Keeper

As a person that has benefited from the expertise and professionalism by both Helicopter Pilots with night vision and Ranger Todd Seliga at GCNP/Phantom Ranch in the early morning darkness, I have nothing but gratitude and respect for what they do. They do a great job but have to say this wouldn't have happened if they had been riding mules, LOLOL! Rock On

Give Someone A Yellowstone National Park Wolf for Christmas!

Dec 15th - 12:35pm | Yellowstone Secrets

It is very tempting to purchase one of these for one of my friends who is very against the wovles in Yellowstone. On the other hand, my daughter would absolutely love one of these. Thanks for the gift idea.

National Park Mystery Spot 19: Up and Down They Go

Dec 15th - 11:27am | Bob Janiskee

The answer is the Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Eric was the first to identify the park (and he later came up with the exact spot), but Sue Ross was the first to supply the correct answer in its entirety. Several others, as you can see, correctly identified the park without nailing the spot within the park. Good job, ya'll.

Dec 15th - 09:59am | Eric

While I may be too late to be the first, I will amend my previous answer to add "Dune Climb" at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Dec 15th - 09:25am | Arthur

Just a guess--Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Dec 15th - 09:11am | Sue Ross

Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan - Spot is The Dune Climb. http://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm

Dec 15th - 08:42am | o2bkayakin

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Dec 15th - 06:30am | Bob Janiskee

If you want to claim a victory here, you need to provide the entire answer, not just part of it. As is our custom, we'll embargo the answer for a while.

Dec 15th - 06:21am | Eric

Sleeping Bear dunes National Lakeshore

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Steve Martin Hanging Up His Hat

Dec 15th - 08:52am | Core Opserator

In confirmation of the last paragraph of Casey's response (it's spot on in it's entirety), in conversations with NPS project lead, I said that she and Martin MUST know what their proposals lead to. In letter after letter to NPS during the public input "process', LOL, some of their proposals aren't possible due to safety issues. How much they've listened is predictable, particularly Martin.

Dec 14th - 20:19pm | Casey Murph

In response to the earlier comment, that individual who is so full of praise for Steve Martin for kicking the mules off the Kaibab, ill say this.

Dec 14th - 11:00am | anonymous

About the whining, it's interesting about one's perspective on things. Nice try though.

Dec 14th - 08:40am | anonymous

Obviously posted by Sara Palin. You betcha, LOL!

Dec 14th - 00:19am | Anonymous

As a frequent S. Kaibab Trail hiker I can't begin to thank Supt. Martin for what he has accomplished in the past two years, the trail is now hikable. Taking the mules off the trail temporarily to allow the trail crew to complete major repair, no, complete overhaul, has made a world of difference.

Dec 13th - 21:31pm | anonymous

If Martin would have just responded to FOIA requests he might have more cred! Martin isn't from chicago is he?

Shelton Johnson Honored As National Park Service's Top Interpreter

Dec 14th - 21:50pm | Jane S

What an eloquent spokesperson for the parks. I love people who are passionate about their work. Bravo, Mr. Johnson, let you light shine.

Mike Snyder, Intermountain Regional Director for the National Park Service, Opts for Retirement

Dec 14th - 21:38pm | Core Opserator

For a minute there I thought you were talking about Xanterra. All to familiar but then with Xanterra they've penciled out short timers are better for the bottom line while I was told by NPS Manager they don't care how much it costs.

Dec 14th - 20:34pm | Curious Mind

So who is in charge of oversight concerning NPS and does simply retiring avoid any possible criminal action?

Big Cypress National Preserve Gains 29,000 Acres From State of Florida

Dec 14th - 12:48pm | Matt Schwartz

Actually, this deal was supposed to happen last September. The State of Florida delayed the decision until they were sure that state lands would not later become designated federal wilderness. The National Park Service's decision (released the day before Thanksgiving) to open up the Big Cypress Addition Lands to 130 miles of off-road vehicle trails seems to have satisfied their concerns.

Bryce Canyon National Park's Star Festival Right Around the Corner

Dec 14th - 10:28am | pkrnger

Jeremy, What impacts other than increased coal truck traffic and dust are anticipated? Is it possible that extensive flood lights will be used to support night-time excavation, ruining Bryce Canyon's pristine night skies?

Dec 13th - 20:38pm | Jeremy

This festival could be in jeopardy... the State of Utah has just approved a coal strip mine for 10 miles south of the park! The mine will be kicking up a ton of dust into the atmosphere, as will the 300 coal trucks a day leaving the mine.

America's Great Outdoor Initiative Visits Asheville, North Carolina

Dec 14th - 10:01am | Anonymous

Kristy, I understand what you are saying, but what this issue comes down to is that you can't "limit access" because these national parks and public lands don't just belong to people that live in rural areas but to all Americans. City dwellers have just as much a right to experience our public lands as you do. In order to truly appreciate these lands, people must go there and explore them.

Interior Officials, Wyoming Officials Agree On $107 Million Deal For Roughly 1,400 Acres Inside Grand Teton National Park

Dec 14th - 09:19am | Jon Merryman

Anyone want 3.4 acres attached to C&O Canal National Historical Park? You can literally spit into the canal from the property line. Great views of the Potomac River and West Virginia. Far left flank of the Confederate forces at Antietam. Let me know if you're interested, NPS...!

The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring

Dec 14th - 02:53am | Jessica321

Humboldt University in Arcata had a pic showing the top of this redwood I think. And there were a lot of other photos too including spruce and douglas firs. Not sure if any pics were from the grove of titans like lost monarch because no names were added. But the albums were really neat to look through.

Is It Quixotic To Work Towards Restoration of the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park?

Dec 13th - 20:15pm | Zebulon

Based on what I read above, I'd be inclined to leave HH alone. $20B to restore a damn, build a new gas fire powered plant does not sound too appealling, especially if the net result is mostly cosmetic.

Some Like it Hot: An Interview With Yellowstone National Park's Geyser Guru, Mike Keller

Dec 13th - 17:38pm | Anonymous

Great article. Although, Excelsior HAS erupted since 1888. The last full, major eruption was in 1890 (maybe 1901) when it played as high as 300 feet. Less activity, some of it up to 75 feet high, was in 1946 and 1985. *Information from the book "The Geysers of Yellowstone" by T. Scott Bryan. Also, my husband (an awesome Xanterra tour guide for YNP). : )

Nine Injured By Lightning Strike At Old Faithful In Yellowstone National Park

Dec 13th - 15:08pm | Danielle M

My family and I were 6 of the 9 who were struck, and we were right by the man who needed cpr and further medical attention. It was a very scary experience. My family and i were taking a picture huddled under a tarp because it just started to hail. We were struck and when i opened my eyes, my family which i was holding, was then yards away from me laying off the board walk.

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