Plight of the Parks

Is Your Backcountry Safety Net A Personal Locator Beacon or Cell Phone?

Do you skimp on backcountry preparations, figuring you've got your trusty personal locator beacon or cell phone to summon help at a moment's notice? It's tempting, no? Why prepare yourself equipment-wise and possibly skill-wise when help is just a push button away?

Read more about Is Your Backcountry Safety Net A Personal Locator Beacon or Cell Phone?

By Kurt Repanshek - May 16th, 2008 8:14pm

6 comments

Coal-Fired Plants Obscuring National Park Vistas

On a clear day, you often can see for miles and miles. But as a report from the National Parks Conservation Association points out, clear days are harder and harder to find in our national parks under the Bush administration's relatively laissez-faire approach to coal-fired power plants.

Read more about Coal-Fired Plants Obscuring National Park Vistas

By Kurt Repanshek - July 12th, 2011 9:34am

11 comments

National Park Service Sued Over Personal Watercraft at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Gulf Islands National Seashore

In an action sure to inflame some national park visitors, Friends of the Earth and The Wilderness Society have sued the National Park Service to reinstate bans against personal watercraft at Gulf Islands National Seashore and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Jet Ski Lawsuit.pdf

Read more about National Park Service Sued Over Personal Watercraft at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Gulf Islands National Seashore

By Kurt Repanshek - May 15th, 2008 12:45pm

Report Shows Visiting National Parks Could be Hazardous to Your Health

Visiting national parks could be hazardous to your health. That's the conclusion that can be drawn from a snapshot of health and safety conditions across the National Park System.

Read more about Report Shows Visiting National Parks Could be Hazardous to Your Health

By Kurt Repanshek - May 3rd, 2008 10:07am

15 comments

Congressman Calls for Full EIS of Proposal to Allow Concealed Carry in America's National Parks

Congressman Raul Grijalva, calling the Bush administration's efforts to allow national park visitors to arm themselves political pandering, wants a full Environmental Impact Statement, complete with public hearing, performed on the proposal.

Read more about Congressman Calls for Full EIS of Proposal to Allow Concealed Carry in America's National Parks

By Kurt Repanshek - May 1st, 2008 9:24am

14 comments

Interior Officials Want to Allow Concealed Carry in the National Parks

Moving at a politically expedient speed, Interior Department officials are proposing to allow national park visitors to carry concealed weapons with them.

DOI-Proposed Gun Reg.pdf

Read more about Interior Officials Want to Allow Concealed Carry in the National Parks

By Kurt Repanshek - April 29th, 2008 5:20pm

69 comments

National Parks Week: Perfect Time to Assess the "State of the Parks"

Don't let the hoopla over National Parks Week and the launch of the Centennial Challenge fund-letting fool you: The state of the national park system is depressing. While recent visitation is up, staffing is down, and park budgets aren't keeping pace with inflation.

Read more about National Parks Week: Perfect Time to Assess the "State of the Parks"

By Kurt Repanshek - April 26th, 2008 2:47pm

2 comments

Railroad's Tweaking Delays Glacier National Park's Decision Against Bombing Avalanche Chutes

Long after the public comment period closed on Glacier National Park's draft environmental impact statement regarding a railroad's request to bomb avalanche chutes on the park's southern boundary, the railroad apparently has succeeded in tweaking that document.

Read more about Railroad's Tweaking Delays Glacier National Park's Decision Against Bombing Avalanche Chutes

By Kurt Repanshek - April 25th, 2008 3:25pm

Yellowstone National Park Bison Agreement: How Big A Step Forward Is It?

If the winter of 2008-09 is as severe as this slowly retreating winter, will it matter that 25 Yellowstone National Park bison have been saved from slaughter while another 1,200 or so are trucked to their death? Those paying $2.8 million to gain grazing rights to a ranch just north of Yellowstone think so.

Read more about Yellowstone National Park Bison Agreement: How Big A Step Forward Is It?

By Kurt Repanshek - April 17th, 2008 8:26pm

6 comments

Park Lands For Sale: Can the National Park Service Afford Them?

America's national park system is interwoven with more than 4 million acres of private lands, nearly half of which the National Park Service would love to own, but can't afford. Does Congress, or the American people, care?

Read more about Park Lands For Sale: Can the National Park Service Afford Them?

By Kurt Repanshek - April 8th, 2008 5:28pm

6 comments

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.