National Parks Traveler

Whether or not Kaiser follows through on their promise to appeal, and whether the BLM joins them, will affect the near-term course of events in the fight against the unneeded and ill-conceived Eagle Mountain landfill. Regardless, park supporters should rest assured that all plaintiffs remain committed to fighting this project.

Many people avoid public lands with fees. Furthermore, the higher the fees the fewer the number of low-income visitors will visit the park. While a $5 increase may not seem like much to many Americans, it is for others. Especially those living in rural areas surrounding parks with steep entrance fees. From my experience, many locals avoid parks in their backdoors for this very reason.

Never have I been more ashamed to be from Tracy (the district that Rep. Pombo represents in Congress.) In September, I had written to Resources Chairman Pombo and called his office to express my distinct displeasure at his erstwhile proposal to sell off 15 national parks and naming rights within other parks in order to get Democratic support for drilling in ANWR.

Gracias por su conversation with Presidente Kiernan. Yo soy del Paso del Norte in Chihuahua (en Mexico), but I now live in El Paso. My favorite park is the massive Big Bend National Park which is about four hours away.

Good to hear that those who have a bit of the public's attention are making their opinions known. Even better that they are coming down on the side of clear thinking and sensible policy-making. Would you be so kind as to give us an idea of what kind of timeline the Interior Department is working on to implement the new NPS Management Policies?

I love this park. And your description of what must have been a wonderful day there was just the thing to rekindle memories. Thanks.

Just a note to say thank you for the recognition of Neo Commons on your blog. Your coverage of the NPS and the many issues the agency faces today is, at least from my view point, appreciated. I hope that members of the Coalition of NPS Retirees are reading and posting here. If not, I will have to encourage them to do so.

I have got to get to Colorado. Thanks so much for this post.

Is there hunting allowed there, for elk or other fair game? Texas is home to a vast amount of hunters. Now, I know that a part of those hunting licenses' fees go to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission, but it still bothers me. Why would ANYONE want to kill a moose?

Right on, Kurt. Nothing wrong with enjoyment but parks cannot be expected to satisfy every type of use without suffering serious degradation.

Kurt,

And don't forget the latest outrage, Bush Instituting Political Loyalty Tests for National Park Service Employees (http://tinyurl.com/ar9zu) Will it never end?

From parks to public transit and all points between, each administration inside the beltway tends to neglect the public trust in favor of private friends. This administration, the one led by George W. Bush, has reached historically new lows in its handling of the public's trust.

Macombs Dam and Mullaly Parks across the street from historic Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY may be destroyed until we rise up and voice our concerns. The Yankees want to build a new stadium on top of these parks. If these parks are seized by business, is any park really safe?

Macombs Dam and Mullaly Parks across the street from historic Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY may be destroyed until we rise up and voice our concerns. The Yankees want to build a new stadium on top of these parks. If these parks are seized by business, is any park really safe?

There's a word that we use here in Virginia when we read a letter like Judge Manson's, and it begins with "chicken". What utter nonsense. Their agenda is clear as Hoffman is being driven by the likes of Bill Horn, lobbyist for the Blue Ribbon Coalition

I don't think you're imagining when it comes to the word "balance." This has long been a part of the Bush administration's spin vocabulary. "We must have balance in how we trash the land . . . " I came to the same conclusion upon reading Director M's letter to the NYT.

Kurt, Impressive that this management policy story keeps getting covered across the country, in news and editorials. Its a demonstration of the profound respect that most regular Americans have for our nation's treasured places.

Kurt, Thanks for posting on the impact that Katrina is having on national park units. Here are some links to the NPS website that give more information: The NPS put out additional information today on the damage caused by Katrina. Here are the links: Commitments to Recovery Operations Continue to Grow

Hoffman's meeting with air tour industry folks isn't surprising. He's the driving force behind the Alternative Dispute Resolution process underway now regarding Grand Canyon airtour regulations.

Glad you are covering this important issue, Kurt. Rumors about these impending management policy revisions have been buzzing around Washington for a while. Supposedly Paul Hoffman has had help from others in crafting some of his misguided ideas for altering the purpose of parks.

Hi Kurt,

No, the Bush Administration does not care. That fact has been established long ago. Though we hear about the grand multi-billion dollar program to assist with the many maintenance projects that need attention now, that to is a fallacy. Sure, some money has been spent and a lot of it is through other programs that the NPS has always had access to like federal highway money for road repair.

Interesting article... The most telling line from that story, perhaps, is: "Oddly enough, public outcry has been remarkably muted."

Kurt, Great blog! Thanks for keeping me in the loop. Charlie