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UPDATED | Interior Department Tests Legal Boundaries In Redirecting Fee Monies To National Park Garbage Collection

Jan 8th - 01:44am | y_p_w

tomp2: 6: Does anybody know what happens to park staff living in park housing during a shutdown?  I assume those in long-term leases aren't evicted?  Bonus question: How does a shutdown work at Kalaupapa, where NPS does core support for the non-NPS community?

Jan 8th - 00:01am | tomp2

1: I'm glad David Vela hasn't been confirmed yet as Director.  He doesn't deserve to be stuck in the middle of this, and starting with this would almost certainly reduce his effectiveness for the NPS going forward.

New Executive Order Could Open Forests In National Parks To Logging

Jan 7th - 23:49pm | Emily Moore

I support science-based, evidence-based ways to manage our forests. We should never let greed replace science when formulating public policies.  

Jan 7th - 22:55pm | Travis

I beg to differ.

Jan 6th - 20:20pm | Lee Dalton

Gonna have to disagree, Mr. Kellett. After many years (long ago) of living in and around PROPERLY MANAGED forests, proper forest management IS effective in reducing bug kill and fires. But a combination of greed and some misguided protectionism managed to overwhelm and replace PROPER management with the current mess.

Jan 6th - 16:37pm | Michael Kellett

"Management" is the Forest Service's euphemism for "logging," which is what the agency and its friends in the timber and wood products industries want to do everywhere. They grossly misrepresent the reality of fire and simply choose to ignore overwhelming evidence that logging actually worsens the risk and intensity of fires.

Camping In The National Parks: North Rim Campground At Grand Canyon National Park

Jan 7th - 17:50pm | Kurt Repanshek

Becky, the park's website says campsites at the North Rim Campground can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet. So a 31-foot RV would fit with room to spare.

Jan 7th - 17:43pm | becky

i don't plan on parking in the road! If the site says that max vehicle length is 27 feet... then an RV OF 31 FEET WILL NOT BE ALLOWED...CORRECT?

Jan 7th - 16:48pm | Kurt Repanshek

Vehicles: Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and trailers must remain on the pavement. Do not park in the road. Maximum vehicle length: 40 feet (12 m)

Jan 7th - 16:39pm | becky

our RV is 31 feet. will that be allowed in a max site of 27 ft

Traveler's View: Interior Department Makes Rules Up On The Fly

Jan 7th - 14:26pm | y_p_w

Freeusfromtyranny: Leave no trace.  A lost lesson because of liberal nanny state policies.     The government will take care of you so do what u want with no consequences.  Let the public figure out that they can not do as they please.  Abit Vigilanty enforcement will go a long way as well

Jan 7th - 14:07pm | Rick B.

OK, Mr Vigilante Enforcement. We heard enough about your sort of "tyranny fear" when y'all piddled on the floor of our wildlife refuge.

Jan 7th - 12:57pm | Freeusfromtyranny

Leave no trace.  A lost lesson because of liberal nanny state policies.     The government will take care of you so do what u want with no consequences.  Let the public figure out that they can not do as they please.  Abit Vigilanty enforcement will go a long way as well.

Jan 7th - 12:42pm | Rick B.

Well spoken, Kurt. 

Jan 7th - 08:54am | Lee Dalton

" BTW. has Mitch McConnel gone missing at Mammouth Cave?" If he has, let's not report it to the rescue teams . . . 

Jan 7th - 08:40am | Mather Forever

You nailed it Kurt.

UPDATED | National Parks Told To Dip Into Fee Revenues For Maintenance And Sanitation

Jan 7th - 07:20am | STOP PAYING THE...

STOP PAYING THE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND SEE HOW QUICKLY THE SHUTDOWN IS RESOLVED

Jan 6th - 19:22pm | Bill Baehr

The NPS is now finding money to take care of maintenance and sanitation issues so the private sector that is starting to take care of the Parks will get credit for saving the day. The People will take care of their Parks and don't need the NPS parasites. The NPS is a top heavy bureaucracy that wastes money and does little for the American People to enjoy their Parks.

Jan 6th - 15:06pm | Anonymous

Enough,either solve the shut down.Or close the parks!! Enough politics!! If people can't care take of these amazing natural resources then close them. Once the big concessioners start to lose big money,and all of gateway communities. Then maybe the rich political millionaires will listen in Washington. Good bless all the NPS rangers trying to take care of our national treasures.  

Jan 6th - 14:21pm | MAGA

Must be part of the declaration of emergency powers our President is ready to proclaim. Did that invasion around Election Day reach Colorado yet? 

Jan 6th - 13:10pm | This is BS

This uproots policy of almost 2 decades.  The focus of these funds has long been deferred maintenance. This means those projects won't get done.  This is a really bad decision and will come back to haunt this agency long after this shutdown is over. Say good bye to any new operating dollars and this decision will be an open for Congress to not have to fund parks.

Utah Congressional Delegation Wants Federal Funds To Open National Parks

Jan 7th - 03:01am | Grace T.

Rick B.,

Jan 6th - 18:44pm | Rick B.

I'm afraid you are dead wrong in everything you've written, including the pride you take in making your unfounded W.A.G's. It is apparent that you know few furloughed parkies personally. I know of one female Law Enforcement Ranger who is close to her due date with her first child, and not allowed to work even a desk job by her President.

Jan 6th - 15:07pm | y_p_w

ecbuck: That is one step, y_p_w but not all illegals come here to work.  Many come to exploit our education, health and welfare systems as well.  They all need to be shut off.  But, the left (and some on the right) will never let it happen.  The wall is doable.  Perfrect? Far from it, but far better than doing nothing.  Walls have worked around the world.

Jan 6th - 14:06pm | ecbuck

That is one step, y_p_w but not all illegals come here to work.  Many come to exploit our education, health and welfare systems as well.  They all need to be shut off.  But, the left (and some on the right) will never let it happen.  The wall is doable.  Perfrect? Far from it, but far better than doing nothing.  Walls have worked around the world.  

Jan 6th - 13:15pm | y_p_w

wild places: Either way we will not have adequately addressed our illegal immigration problem.

Jan 6th - 12:23pm | Grace T.

That's quite the overgeneralization there 'wild places' and it's egocentric of you to expand on your biggest fear that nothing gets accomplished with this shutdow. Wow, that's pretty insightful and enlightening...

Jan 6th - 11:58am | wild places

Lots of faux outrage here and throughout the media. Most peoples lives will be mildly inconvenienced if at all. Many of those furloughed I imagine are quietly enjoying their paid time off and even hoping it lasts for a while. Of course they would never publicly state that for fear of being lambasted by the left. Add the typical Union posturing and of course the world is coming to an end.

Jan 6th - 08:35am | ecbuck

Speaks more about the Natioanl Environmental Scorecard than the legislatures.  

Jan 5th - 22:55pm | BrianP

National Environmental Scorecard for Rob Bishop: 0% in 2017, 2% lifetime; Chris Stewart: 0% in 2017, 2% lifetime; John Curtis: 0% in 2017, 0% lifetime.

Jan 5th - 21:59pm | y_p_w

ecbuck: Maybe BrianP they aren't as anti-environmental, anti-wilderness, anti-monuments, anti-parks, anti-public lands as you believe. They are.  But right now they're pro-tourism since they know how much money tourists spend visiting Utah's national parks..  What's the expression?  Money talks.  

Jan 5th - 20:57pm | Grace T.

This idea and logic is flawed re: turning away local assistance for sites in Utah and is an all-or-nothing mindset. I diasagree with the NPS passing up on any state assistance be offered.

Jan 5th - 20:48pm | ecbuck

Maybe BrianP they aren't as anti-environmental, anti-wilderness, anti-monuments, anti-parks, anti-public lands as you believe.  

Jan 5th - 20:48pm | Grace T.

This idea and logic is flawed re: turning away local assistance for sites in Utah and is an all-or-nothing mindset. I diasagree with the NPS passing up on any state assistance be offered.

Jan 5th - 19:59pm | Bill Baehr

The LDS Church and the People of Utah could easily fund the Utah National Parks and they should ecause the Parks are a profit center for their members and state. 

Jan 5th - 19:38pm | BrianP

Pretty ironic that the state that has some of the most anti-environmental, anti-wilderness, anti-monuments, anti-parks, anti-public lands politicians now wants an exception to keep their parks open.  I agree with Matt: use some of those payments from Utah's extraction activities to pay for your parks.  And, please, don't pontificate about small government.

Jan 5th - 19:05pm | Matt Foley

I didn't think Utah needed the federal governmentaybe the should use the money their getting from extraction in the lands formerly of Grand Staircase Escalante

Jan 5th - 17:18pm | tazzman

Utah was singled out because the congressmen are from Utah. They're just addressing their own constituencies. Time for the other state delegations to step up and demand the same. Actually, Interior funding and the other departments aside from DHS, which is where the wall funding would reside, could be dealt with while the debate over the wall funding and DHS continued.

Jan 5th - 17:06pm | ED G

Close them until the Trump shutdown is over.  If you fund Utah's national parks, fund all national parks. Why should Utah's parks be singled out to open?  Utah's congressional delegation should start negotiating and putting pressure on Trump to end his intransigent demand for a useless (Mexico paid for) wall.  Border security and immigration reforms are laudable goals.

Sullivan’s Island Was the African-American Ellis Island

Jan 6th - 21:23pm | Angela Horn Sullivan

Hello Alana, Please locate me on facebook...Angela Horn. I really love to talk to you. I remember my aunt Annie Belle

Around The National Parks During The Government Shutdown: Human Waste And Helping Hands

Jan 6th - 14:08pm | arc

It's admirable that some park employees are helping out.  However, I would not critisize any employee who doesn't volunteer.  Anyone who works would more than likely question why they work for free for a company, govenment or whatever if they are told we can't pay, don't know when we can pay you, and oh by way, it may be months or even years.  I have sympathy for the workers, not for

Jan 6th - 13:28pm | Death Valley Sc...

I spent a week in Death Valley and Joshua Tree and DIDN'T see any human waste. Where is this story coming from? Frankly, sounds like nutty scaremongering. 

Unease Hangs Over National Parks As Partial Shutdown Continues

Jan 5th - 22:49pm | Dick Shattuck

My experience is that the NPS staff works very little for the good of visitors. And exactly what is your experience, Bill Baehr? Have you ever worked or volunteered for even a single day at any NPS unit?    The NPS staff also have a haughty attidtude towards the citizens that use the Parks.

Jan 5th - 19:08pm | Rick B.

Thanks for playing, Bill Baehr. We have some nice parting gifts for you.

Jan 5th - 17:22pm | tazzman

Bill Baehr:" Many Parks are already being run by others than the Feds during this shutdown and are doing well." What? Where? These private associations are providing minimal services in some cases, and are incapable of doing so in many others. Are you reading these stories or leading with ideology first?  

Jan 5th - 17:02pm | Lee Dalton

Gee, Bill, are you talking about American national parks?    

Coalition Comes Together To Provide Minimal Visitor Services At Zion National Park

Jan 5th - 21:31pm | Zion Guest

Too bad the national parks and other agencies are being held hostage over something totally irrelevant. 

Areas Of Death Valley Closed, Volunteers Collecting Trash At Saguaro National Park

Jan 5th - 20:36pm | Austin Eats

Those who are to blame for this shutdown should be ashamed of themselves. There is no place for petty bickering and politicising the wonders of our great country just to feed your ego or pander to your base.

Fee Increases Coming To Everglades National Park To Help With Deferred Maintenance

Jan 5th - 17:25pm | tazzman

I'm in favor of fee increases in order to take care of maintenance if that's what it takes. If politicians wont fund it, then the NPS needs to take matters into its own hands and protect the resources and provide services to the public. 

Jan 5th - 14:26pm | PHILIP S. CHASE

I tend to agree with you. Nature doesn't give FREE PASSES. We are stewards of this world, not parasites. Why else would it feel good to do things to care for, and enjoy the natural world ?

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