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What's the Latest On The Search for An Interior Secretary?

Dec 16th - 11:57am | Ted Clayton

MRC notes:

Dec 16th - 09:44am | jsmacdonald

If you look at the American Wilderness Coalition ratings, that can't be based on more than 3 to 4 votes because the ratings are either 0% 33% 50% 66% 75% or 100%, which is not a telling rating at all.

Dec 16th - 06:27am | biobot

The Denver Post reports that Sen. Ken Salazar is our new Secretary of the Interior. Here in Colorado the Senator has served as Attorney General, and had his eye on the Agriculture post, presumably because his family is in that business. It will be interesting to see how he balances the needs of agriculture and conservation/preservation.

Dec 16th - 03:14am | MRC

What are yur issues with Salazar?

Dec 15th - 21:39pm | Anonymous

Ken Salazar's "Environmental Record" on Wikipedia reads:

Dec 15th - 20:27pm | Kurt Repanshek

Jim, c'mon, let's get some specifics. I didn't read all 46 comments, but the few I did were tossing around glib generalities. I probably didn't read far enough down, but I didn't see one mention that he's pro guns in the parks. That's a strike against him.

Dec 15th - 19:28pm | jsmacdonald

An interesting conversation about Salazar going on here ... http://wolves.wordpress.com/2008/12/15/it-looks-a-lot-like-ken-salazar-a... .

Dec 15th - 19:18pm | Kurt Repanshek

Jim, perhaps you could specifically cite your concerns with Salazar. Frankly, anyone the new administration selects should be a step up from the last two Interior secretaries, no?

Dec 15th - 18:32pm | jsmacdonald

And now this from the AP: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081216/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_interior $@!#$@!#!!!

Dec 15th - 14:53pm | jsmacdonald

And, it looks like Salazar may indeed been offered the job -- see http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/15/ken-salazar-mum-possib... . The AP's new list of possible appointments has taken down Grijalva's name from its list -

Dec 15th - 10:13am | jsmacdonald

Things are pointing today, unfortunately, to Ken Salazar being appointed. According to the Denver Post, this is likely.

Dec 15th - 09:24am | Rick Smith

I agree with d-2. One of the attractive features for Democrats of the suggestion that Raul Grijalva from Arizona be appointed is that there is little chance that they would lose that seat in a new election.

Dec 14th - 23:51pm | d-2

I would think Mr. Obama would want to hold on to Democrats, like the Udalls, in previously Republican seats. Too dangerous to re-open those seats.

Dec 14th - 23:01pm | Anonymous

Tommy Franks...let's get a military man in there to shape things up (or perhaps he would be better as NPS Director). The parks were run extremely well in days past when the military ran them. Sharp-looking rangers in sharp uniforms, who had good core values in service to the American people. "Yes sir", "yes ma'am" versus "yeah, dude."

Dec 14th - 10:24am | Jeff Rennicke

I would second the Udall connection and suggest newly-elected Senator Mark Udall from Colorado. As the former head of Colorado Outward Bound and a long-time congressman from CO as well as a whitewater kayaker, he understands the West, the public lands, and politics. I had the privilege of paddling the Yampa River years ago with Mark Udall as well as one of my heroes Mo Udall.

Dec 12th - 14:33pm | Kevin Bliss

John Berry is a personal friend. I have known John for 21 years. He would be an outstanding choice as Interior Secretary. Make no mistake about John's conservation credentials. Conservation is a passion.

Dec 12th - 13:31pm | Anonymous

Berry is the best choice out there because he is a committed conservationist, the only candidate with experience within Interior and a track record of leading and managing large organizations, and is highly respected by Members of Congress from both parties.

Dec 11th - 21:05pm | Anonymous

Frank C, if so choosen...please keep the NRA influence out of the National Parks...which I dare you won't do...Mr. Gun shop!

Dec 11th - 18:11pm | Anonymous

Time is short for planet earth, let's get a pro-active conservationist in the DOI. Let's tone down all of are afterburners with less energy and select a good man that can make it all happen. May I suggest several individuals: Mr. Grijalva is a good one but we need someone more dynamic. Perhaps somebody from the Stuart Udall family would like to throw in there hat.

Dec 11th - 15:30pm | dapster

Perhaps Mr. Berry can find a middle-ground where motorized use can be balanced with conservation at all levels. Having someone in that post who can objectively look a both sides would be a boon to the DOI, not at all a detriment.

Dec 11th - 15:15pm | Anonymous

Grijalva still remains the best choice, and people need to continue the push for him to be apppointed. Don't let insider politics drail the best opportunity we have to clean up interior and protect our public lands. he is staying in the hunt. His folks are saying that he is not giving up this fight for interior until the president elect makes the call.

Dec 11th - 13:59pm | Anonymous

Yikes! Well at least he's better than Mike Thompson (who voted against roadless areas in Tongass for example)!

Is Florida's Blockbuster Sugar Deal to Help the Everlgades In Danger of Collapse?

Dec 15th - 23:38pm | biobot

I'm improvising here - brainstorming sort of...sugar cane is in the graminae family - grasses/river of grass. Lawns - agritoxins in water, unnatural species - what works there works there and can probably be integrated into the community gardening/aesthetic needs. Water management remains the key. How to? Surface techniques... Carry on then.

Dec 15th - 12:09pm | Anonymous

There are several important points missing in your article - the price tag of close to $3B after interest on the certificates of particpation - the halting of projects in the works because the district will not have money for any projects - the possibility that an further downturn in the economy (property assessments) could bankrupt the agency.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Working on Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan

Dec 15th - 22:09pm | Anonymous

Nabesna Road is a major Native inholding area & community on the north side of Wrangell-St Elias. WRST has become the poster-child & test-case for both subsistence issues and ORVs (4 wheelers, mainly, as snowmobiles are less controversial). WRST has well over a million acres of inholdings - more than most of our 'big' Parks, just as inholdings!

Interior Officials Want to Allow Concealed Carry in the National Parks

Dec 14th - 19:47pm | Frequent Camper

As a Liberal, I disagree with Bush 95+% of the time. However, I like this regulation change. I believe in all the Bill of Rights, not just those that are supported by the left or right. You are also fooling yourself, if you think that people aren't already bringing concealed weapons into National Parks for self protection.

Petrified Forest National Park is Still Being Stolen One Piece at a Time

Dec 14th - 06:40am | Bob Janiskee

A synopsis of relevant information is available at http://www.nps.gov/pefo/parknews/park-boundary-expansion.htm.

Dec 12th - 12:59pm | Bugsyshallfall

I do hope the problem is solve in time, but in the mean time does anyone know what is going on in terms of expanding the park.

Dec 11th - 12:52pm | JimB

Thanks for a good reminder about a long-standing problem.

Comment Period for Proposed Gun Rule Change in National Parks Extended 30 Days

Dec 13th - 10:55am | Anonymous

This is indeed a political matter, I will agree. This is not about trust, but about power and control. I simply don't understand the logic which equates an indiscriminate homicidal maniac with any responsible, law abiding citizen who happens to be carrying a gun. You might as well argue banning fire extinguishers in buildings with good safety records.

Wilderness Designation for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Will Have to Wait

Dec 13th - 09:06am | Kurt Repanshek

Dang, I HATE when they move lakes around. Thanks for the pointer, Joe.

Dec 13th - 08:44am | Joe

Lakeshore officials even went to lengths to ensure that Lake Michigan boaters could pull their boats up onto portions of beach that would fall within the proposed wilderness boundaries.

Arches National Park Finds Its Birthday Overshadowed By Drilling Concerns

Dec 12th - 20:37pm | Anonymous

Connie W, sounds to me your more worried about your oil stocks then saving the environment from rape, greed and pillage. We had eight years of Geo. Bush's non-sensical environment policies which are hell bent on pure exploitation of are natural resources. And, without a clue what conservation of are natural resources means.

On the Political Front: Good And Bad News From the Bush Administration

Dec 12th - 18:24pm | Barky

Good news, thanks. I tend to not like enforcing "pristine park" standards on lands outside the NPS boundaries, but I'd rather not have power plants immediately nearby. The parks don't have a voice to say "not in my backyard", unlike the rest of us. ==============================

Dec 12th - 14:35pm | Kurt Repanshek

I believe you can add Great Smoky and Shenandoah to those three, and possibly Mesa Verde.

Dec 12th - 13:11pm | Kelly Fuller

I'd love to see a list of national parks threatened by proposed coal-fired power plants that will be helped by keeping the existing air quality rule in place. Here's three I know of: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Badlands National Park, and Wind Cave National Park.

NPS Retirees Oppose Carrying Guns in National Parks

Dec 12th - 14:01pm | Robert in TN

Victory for Human Rights! We can now carry in National Parks legally. Hooray!

Wal-Mart Request Would Put a Super Center Next to The Wilderness Battlefield

Dec 12th - 13:08pm | Bugsyshallfall

Yoy know in terms of being environmentally friendly Wal-Mart is not as bad as many people think. That being said, I was not so sure as what should be done at first. The park has to end somewhere, but the store would very close to the park in fact too close and the land is historically. In the end, I hope the Wal-Mart is not yet good points have been made on both sides.

Dec 12th - 11:56am | Larry

Dan, What needs to be said, and folks need to be educated on with regard to the Wilderness site is it is ON the battlefield, not adjacent. Fact is the site is included within the boundaries of the original tract of land considered "battlefield" under the initial survey by the War Department.

Dec 11th - 21:27pm | Anonymous

There's so many good textbooks written on the subject of mallization of America. City planners have fought for years to stabilize regional planning fiascos that corporate interests tries to shove down are throats...Walmart is one of them with their jaded wing tip shoe lawyers.

Dec 11th - 18:54pm | Dan

This string of comments makes clear that there are three competing issues here.

Trails I've Hiked: Golden Canyon, Death Valley National Park

Dec 12th - 11:50am | jersu

I have to agree, Golden Canyon is worth the effort. I did this particular hike during early May (a few years back). The temps were in the 90s as I recall, and I could not imagine hiking that trail if it were any hotter. We actually did a bit of a loop from the Highway 190 parking lot, uphill to just beneath Zabriskie Point, and then back down through a different side canyon.

This Park Has Scenery, History and a Treasure Trove of Art and Photos

Dec 12th - 11:35am | JimB

MRC - Thanks for the additional information on the fossils and more on the living history. Jim - glad for the confirmation that this is one of those sometimes overlooked but very worthwhile parks.

Dec 12th - 11:18am | Jim

We came by Scotts Bluff one sunny morning back in October and were delighted with our visit. As often with Park Service units it has been the most unassuming and less well known that have been the most enjoyable. Scotts Bluff was certainly one of those. The visitor centre is something of an antique and well worth preserving.

Dec 12th - 04:35am | MRC

Thanks for bringing attention to this often overlooked gem in the NP system. Scotts Bluff is amazing in its variety, from the history of the Oregon Trail (and not to forget the California Trail, the Mormon Pioneer Trail and the Pony Express, which all ran together on the same route in their respective times), to nature with the rocks, cliffs and bluffs, to art by Jackson.

Assateague Island National Seashore Rangers Troll Internet For Big Catch

Dec 11th - 14:28pm | Team ROCKIT

The woman was ignorant for bragging, it never gets you anywhere. As for posting incriminating evidence, that was without a doubt stupid. Not knowing the law is no excuse. Banning ORV from the beach is not the answer. There should be more patrols by rangers to keep the fishermen in check and inspect their catch. To keep the traffic at a minimum they (rangers) should use ATVs or SideXsides (ie.

Interior Department To Be Sued Over Cape Hatteras National Seashore Plover Habitat Decisions

Dec 11th - 14:20pm | Anonymous

This issue has been dictated by egos and money and plain ole personal gain by people that have no clue as to the history, area, and people that live there. It was promised as recreational, created and designated as recreational, and yet law suits are being fought over something that has already been designated as recreational.

National Park Service Draws Criticism for Winter-Use Plan for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Dec 11th - 13:59pm | Anonymous

Sabattis - The timeline actually leaves out Brimmer's ruling altogether, and only mentions it in reference to the Bush Administration's referencing of it in publishing their rule in the Federal Register on Dec. 9th. The GYC is obviously picking what they want to put in their timeline and not being as thorough as they could be.

At Yellowstone, It’s Fluffy the Snuggle-Bud One, Coyotes Zero

Dec 11th - 12:56pm | jsmacdonald

I guess, Bob, that's why I'm in part not convinced that feral cats couldn't colonize Yellowstone, though there's no evidence that they have to date despite decades of visitors losing cats and people on the borderlands with cats. They strike me as very resourceful animals.

Dec 11th - 12:37pm | Bob Janiskee

I've heard lots of similar comments, Eric, and I have a theory. (Well, at least an hypothesis.) Cats that live in coyote territory either wise up or get eaten. The ones that become coyote-wise (perhaps because of a close call) are thereafter very good at coyote evasion. I recall one veteran feline that I encountered while pheasant hunting on a farm near Gregory, South Dakota.

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