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House Republicans Say Interior Secretary's Proposed Snake Ban Bad for Business

Mar 29th - 17:35pm | Anonymous

"Come on, 1.6-1.8 billion US is not "small business". It's BIG business" That number is for over 10000 businesses not one.

Mar 29th - 17:32pm | Anonymous

This measure would be to stop interstate sales of these certain snakes and to stop imports. It won't help the environment in any way. I am sure you don't care about the cash flow, however tell that to the 1000's of people who will have to file bankruptcy if this goes through.

Mar 29th - 17:28pm | Anonymous

It isn't just importing. The ban would be for interstate sales also.(couldn't sell from one state to another) Get your facts straight if you are going to discuss this. Anonymous, the ban on interstate transportation was mentioned in the grey-highlighted text as well as in our original story, which was linked to in the very first paragraph. -- Ed.

Mar 29th - 17:03pm | Donna Fernstrom

What's this all really about? It's about money. It's about money that the USGS will receive if this passes. It's about the USGS producing a report that will help them secure that money, and then having it 'peer reviewed' by insiders who also stand to gain by putting pythons on the injurious wildlife list.

Mar 29th - 15:48pm | Anonymous

I would lose my job and you don't care?

Mar 29th - 15:46pm | Anonymous

This bill also stops the interstate transport of even captive bred animals. Please read and be well informed before making comments like this. That is the problem with this whole bill, there are a bunch of ignorant people with fear driven agendas involved.

Mar 29th - 15:14pm | Anonymous

house cats have and will continue to cause more devistation in the US than any snake ever could but yet people still leave food outside for stray cats and let they cats roam free outside why dont they make more laws on the real thing fucking up the enviorment.

Mar 29th - 15:02pm | Anonymous

they are not only trying to stop you from importing them into the country but keep you from crossing state lines with them. alot of business cross state line so it would hurt people even trying to raise their own to sell as well

Mar 27th - 12:35pm | Kasey

If I live in Indiana and want to sell an albino captive bred boa to someone in Illinois, WHAT does that have to do with Florida? I'm an environmentalist, but I also love snakes. Captive breeding is GOOD for the environment because it reduces strain on wild populations. The feral constrictors in the Everglades are a regional issue.

Mar 27th - 12:18pm | Kasey

Many of "those people who sell snakes" support a ban on IMPORTS, because then their captive bred snakes wouldn't have to compete with dirt-cheap wild-caught animals.

Mar 26th - 19:17pm | dangles

bat: "These snakes aren't going to respect borders and fences"

Mar 26th - 16:41pm | Anonymous

While I understand some people are concerned about the health of park lands. The amount of pythons has been grossly over estimated. As stated in the article these non native reptiles could be easily wiped out by sportsmen. a catch all you want type license would do it, for that matter they could profit from it by selling licenses..

Mar 26th - 13:30pm | Specialtyserpents

PRESS RELEASE November 24, 2009, 5 AM EST Scientists Characterize Justification for Congressional Python Ban as “Unscientific”

Wild Horses in a Georgia Wilderness? Cumberland Island National Seashore Completes Annual Count

Mar 29th - 13:42pm | v.j. henry

Thanks to Jim Burnett for bringing attention to the feral livestock on Cumberland Island. Some points need clarification. Why even count the feral horses? These are exotic species not native to this continent and do immense damage to the island ecosystem. And likewise, the island does them much damage.

Stewart Udall: A Model of a Conservationist

Mar 29th - 13:35pm | J Truman

I too feel it is important to call attention to the legacy of Stewart Udall from the work he did fighting for justice for Uranium Miners and atomic test fallout Downwinders.

Mar 29th - 09:42am | pkrnger

One aspect of Stewart Udall's legacy was his relentless support as a lawyer representing those affected by exposure to radioactive fallout from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons during the 1950's and early 1960's and Navajos who worked in uranium mines and who later contracted lung cancer. The following is a quote from Utah Congressman Jim Matheson:

Mar 28th - 12:03pm | Random Walker

Stewart Udall's letter to his grandchildren - My generation’s mistakes, your generation’s epic challenge, is required reading.

Mar 28th - 11:51am | RLMiller

Beautiful tribute. I have to admire a man who hiked up from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the top, refusing a mule, at the age of 84. And I especially admire his letter to his grandchildren in 2008 recognizing the far greater challenges to their generation: http://www.hcn.org/issues/367/17613

Are National Park Brochures Beginning to Rely on the Internet For Depth?

Mar 29th - 12:20pm | Bob

I'm not going to defend the JEFF brochure, which goes too far in condensing a key reason for the site.

Mar 29th - 11:00am | jessstryker

I've found likewise, that the newer park brochures tend to be beautiful, but light on facts and details. At one time they were a major resource that I used when labeling my photos and writing articles on the parks I visit. Now I find I have to dig much deeper; often I am digging through my files looking for a copy of an older brochure!

Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Officials Want To Replace Three Backcountry Cabins Located in Wilderness Areas

Mar 29th - 12:01pm | RodF

In maintaining backcountry ranger stations, trail bridges and shelters, similar situations have faced Parks (and Forests) across the nation. In general, the work could be done using mule pack trains and hand tools...

Botanists At Grand Canyon National Park Working to Bring Plant Back from the Brink

Mar 29th - 08:58am | Kevin Hamilton

I just got back from Week 1 of the Student Conservation Association's annual Grand Canyon ASB, sponsored by American Eagle. As the bulk of the volunteer work was revegging, park biologist and SCA alumna Kassy Theobald led a thorough overview of the Canyon's native plant/invasives control initiative and cited the milk-vetch success as a real breakthough.

Reader Participation Day: Should There Be a Moratorium On Additions To the National Park System?

Mar 29th - 00:13am | RodF

The entire NPS budget is less than 1/1000th of the Federal budget. We spend more on cosmetics, more on pet grooming, and more on potato chips, than we do on our National Parks! Does this match the importance we place on our National Park system? I think not.

Mar 27th - 14:34pm | Roger M

I am in favor of increasing entrance fees. One would think that even a minor adjustment would make a big difference on the NPS budget. That would help reduce the backlog. A vacation at a National Park is still the best bargain around, even at $30 or $40 per car. Where else can you take a family for $40 per day?

Mar 26th - 15:22pm | Anonymous

It is not a good time for a moratorium on the addition of new NPS units. Mt St Helens NVM deperately needs an all-risk management entity, a coherent management plan befitting such a national treasure, as well as stable funding. NPS is the only agency that can offer these things, and is, frankly, MSH's only possible "salvation" as far as I am concerned.

The Joys of Maintaining the Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Mar 28th - 20:12pm | Tom King

Thank you so much for the good you do. In 2001, I had trail magic show up in a lot of differnt ways. The unsing heroes are the ones I never met, who kept the trail clear for me to pass on thru...God Bless and Peace to you and yours. Kingfish 2001

Mar 28th - 19:22pm | harry(trail rat...

I have been a volunteer for the ATC for about 5 years. We just worked on the trail on Bear Mountain New York, it will open on Trail Day this year. I hope to see yaw there. It is a wonderful job. I also worked in PA, VA, NY.

Mar 28th - 06:54am | Evil Eye

Danny and Lennie - THANK YOU - we thru-hikers couldn't live out our lifelong dreams without the tireless hard work of you and your fellow maintainers & it is much apprecialted.

Mar 27th - 21:04pm | Raymond 'Rain M...

Great article and even better trail work! I love trail maintainers and enjoy saying "THANKS" whenever I meet them on my section hikes. I'm too far away to maintain the AT, but I do volunteer locally to help maintain local trails and parks. It takes us all doing our small (or big) parts. Thank you two, Danny and Lennie!

Mar 27th - 18:55pm | Donna Burns

Great article! Special people like the ones in your article are true angels to the hikers on the AT. Most appreciated!

Mar 26th - 19:43pm | Laurie Potteiger

Terrific article! Thanks for the work you and Lenny do, and taking the time and effort to so eloquently describe the work of volunteers.

Mar 26th - 11:16am | Kori

We're headed out tomorrow to do some External Boundary Corridor Monitoring (ECBM for short) on the AT here in our corner of NJ! We also have that crazy "headed south while going north" thing going on here. We'll be loaded down with clippers, compass, GPS, shovel, saw, and that bright yellow paint that marks the boundary of the AT. Fun times.

Mar 26th - 10:18am | haunted hiker

In my book, volunteer trail workers are rock stars!

Mar 26th - 09:02am | Kurt Repanshek

Reggie, How 'bout we forget about MSM and you spread the word about the Traveler to all your friends!;-)

Mar 26th - 09:01am | Ranger KT

What a good read! We are starting an adopt-a-trail program at my park and I only hope our volunteers are as dedicated as you all are.

Mar 26th - 08:48am | Anonymous

Loved the article...we need more like this in mainstream magazines so folks will become better informed on how the trails are maintained (and maybe be more responsible on the trails!). Reggie

Carrying Guns in the National Parks -- Is This Being Fast-Tracked?

Mar 28th - 19:38pm | RJB

It's refreshing to see there are people still among us who are able to see the reality of what "being protected" really is. I certainly wouldn't feel protected by relying on laws that prohibit law-abiding citizens their right to carry! We all know that people who want to, especially criminals, already do carry!

Updated: NPS Employee Sentenced For Guiding Moose Hunt in Denali National Park and Preserve

Mar 28th - 08:43am | John P

I am a retired NPS employee and embarrassed to admit it. Not only did she make money on the deal but she is still working - where is the justice in that. What a message that sends to other NPS employees. She should be fired immediately.

Mar 26th - 18:49pm | destroyerman

this lady should be fired period. how long has she been doing this???why did it take so long to process this deal?

Mar 26th - 17:54pm | Anonymous

My gosh is this woman really still working for the park? I don't care if you are a ranger or a trash truck driver this isn't what the NPS is about and if you don't understand that then you should never have took the job. What a disgrace to the Service. There aren't enough managers and lawyers in the Service to begin the process of her termination soon enough.

Mar 26th - 12:42pm | dennis g.

How many hunts did she and her brother-in-law illegally conduct at over $9000 each? While we don't know (and may never know) the answer to that, you could almost bet that this wasn't the first time they did something like this. So, to discourage others the fine and/or additional penalties should have been more severe.

El Capitan Gets Nod To Showcase Yosemite National Park on Commemorative Quarter

Mar 27th - 21:15pm | Meg

Actually, since Yosemite was represented on the California quarter, the mint should have gone with a giant redwood or some other representation of nature in California. IMHO.

Mar 27th - 05:14am | MRC

Half Dome was on the 2005 California State Quarter, so I understand why they choose El Capitan this time.

Voyageuers National Park Officials Mulling Reservation and Fee System for Campsites

Mar 27th - 11:25am | Kurt Repanshek

A good point to raise in comments on this proposal!

Mar 27th - 11:13am | Random Walker

If the site is not reserved, walk-in campers can reserve the sites for the current day only. Why is it that one can only make reservations for a multiple night stay through the internet or phone system and not in person?

How much for a piece of candy?

Mar 26th - 16:59pm | DOCREP

I'm guessing Brewster Store Cape Cod. Semper Fi Doc

Commemorative Quarter Places Old Faithful Geyser, Bison On a Quarter

Mar 26th - 16:18pm | coin update

Not so fast... 2032 would also be the 300th anniversary of Washington's birth, meaning there might be some special rotating designs issued for that occasion.

Mar 26th - 09:54am | Anonymous

can't wait till 2032 because thats when we will have an new perament design for the quarter,i am sick of these cheap looking quarters.

Missing From the System? Valles Caldera National Preserve

Mar 26th - 16:04pm | Anonymous

Turn it into a national park and it will become another Yellowtone: traffic jams and crowded boardwalks. Keep it the way it is and only a select, paying few get to see its beauty.

Comments Being Taken on Proposal To Stop Importation, Transportation of Burmese Pythons

Mar 26th - 10:16am | haunted hiker

Alan makes many valid points. One comprise might be to set up a permit/tracking system...and charge enough $ for the permit to pay for the program. I have known amateur and professional herpetologists who were extremely responsible reptile owners.

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