| National Parks Traveler

It is amazing to still see that only the Pro ORV people provide logic and proof. For all the people against me driving my 4x4 on the beach I challenge you to find a sign I was ever there. Now for the environmentalist... I see businesses closed everywhere and a bill from them getting the pleasure of suing the NPS.

Mar 12th - 17:40pm | sea mullet

Kurt G I agree that untold millions of dollars have been wasted and consensus would be the right approach.BUT!!!

Mar 12th - 17:26pm | Bernie McCants

Bill S. I simply posted a section from the DEIS. Guess for some it boils down to what constitutes "primitive wilderness". To me it means a limit on man-made structures. Certainly hard to be miles away from the trappings of modern life in CHNSRA.

Mar 12th - 16:12pm | Kurt Geisler

to pipe in here for a moment. All the posts have been an education so I thank ya for that. Only if ya don't come to some consensus on the priorities, re-read the other Kurts post on Yellowstone, 10+ million and an ever changing plan will come to a park near you.

Mar 12th - 15:34pm | sea mullet

If we really wanted to address the primitive wilderness issue or status we should consider that a considerable amount of said land is now under water and NPS boundary ends at the low tide line on the ocean side.Which low tide line should be considered 1937 or 2010 as the enabling legislation did not address this either.My point is that there are areas set aside without the interim plan or conse

Mar 12th - 15:21pm | Hunter

"The Park (most likely Mike Murray) has put the ORV side into historical perspective but failed to address the other side (primitive wilderness and NPS aesthetics) into perspective. The Park did not explain the logic or give any suitable criteria for where non-ORV access will be permitted or addressed primitive wilderness.

Mar 12th - 15:21pm | Larry D

Please quote the "proven" facts and "volumes of scientific literature" that allegedly support yor statements. In fact, the recreation area was established as just that, area to be used for recreational means. Also, the enabling legislation, has allowed for the preservation of natural resources for posterity. Your problem is that you fail to recognize what is fact or scientific fiction.

Mar 12th - 14:09pm | Bill S

Bernie and sea mullet, I can read and have. Where does it say that the Seashore should not be managed as a primitive wilderness if there is or is not an ORV route in the Park?

Mar 12th - 11:02am | Bernie McCants

As background, From the NPS Draft Enviromental Impact Statement pp 83 (for Bill S)

Mar 12th - 10:42am | sea mullet

Lets consider the fact that when the enabling legislation was written highway 12 did not exist and the beach was the means of connecting the dots.Im sure that the proponents of the park used the beach to DRIVE ON in their visits and did not consider it detrimental to the primitive wilderness mandate they themselves incorporated into the enabling legislation.So I am not persuaded that ORV access

Mar 12th - 10:25am | Kurt Repanshek

Kurt, unfortunately, I think you pretty much nailed the scenario re lawsuit vs. lawsuit. Look at what's happened at Yellowstone with the snowmobile issue. It's dragged on for a decade, through four full-blown EISes.

Mar 12th - 10:19am | Kurt Geisler

Bill, cash cows? look at the lawyer fees. Money wasted. Hey I'm just a simple fisherman, fish mostly at night for two reasons. Fishing is better at night and yep I can avoid crowds This plan will take that away. If this whole mess were about the birds we would be debating the identification and amount of habitat we need to create to reach a population goal. This plan is the usual Gov.

Mar 12th - 08:04am | Bill S

Of course it is about money. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is not your and your friends’ private SUV Park nor was it created to be a cash cow for the local business at the expenses of resources or the intended purpose of this Park.

Mar 12th - 06:00am | Anonymous

Come on dap, quit with the bait and switch. The topic was chicks (which aren't immediately adept at thermo-regulation) moving into the wrack and intertidal (or into washed-up beach hats for shade) away from the heat of the dunes, not nests. The adults control the temperature of incubation.

Mar 11th - 22:08pm | dapster

And I thought I had signed off over here…. Anon/Spottail: They were against the closures before they were for them. They bad-mouthed everyone and their dog because of the interim plan, but once the consent decree was signed, the interim plan is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Mar 11th - 22:08pm | Bernie McCants

“They were against the closures before they were for them. They bad-mouthed everyone and their dog because of the interim plan, but once the consent decree was signed, the interim plan is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Mar 11th - 21:03pm | Anonymous

Bobby, The CHNSRA was designated as such by Congress for the people to enjoy the beaches in a recreational manner. Even without the caveats of the Organic act (of which Congress was aware), this continues to be a poor argument for contributing to the extirpation of the native breeding birds of Cape Hatteras.

Mar 11th - 20:35pm | Anonymous

Matt retorts: Just a few clarifications... If the Sand is 140 degrees at the dune what temp is it ten feet away? Let me help by saying the SAME 140 degrees... (Even if these temps were taken outside of the breeding season, Yes I can actually read the facts stated by Dapster and not only the parts I choose.)

Mar 11th - 18:29pm | Bobby

Tirecatcher The original name is Body Island not Bodie Island! Don't believe it? After the lighthouse has been restored take a tour, learn some history.

Mar 11th - 18:15pm | Matt Stubbs

ANON, Just a few clarifications... If the Sand is 140 degrees at the dune what temp is it ten feet away? Let me help by saying the SAME 140 degrees... (Even if these temps were taken outside of the breeding season, Yes I can actually read the facts stated by Dapster and not only the parts I choose.)

Mar 11th - 16:47pm | Anonymous

YPW, You guys make it sounds as if wildlife protection closures/restrictions/mitigations aren't [or shouldn't be] SOP in NPS units. That about sums it up.

Mar 11th - 16:12pm | y_p_w

It sounds to me as if the discussion is about changes to the status quo. I don't see anyone saying there can't be compromises regardless of what side one is on. And yeah - I have heard of complete closure of some areas as a wildlife protection area. Haleakala NP has maybe a quarter of its area defined as the Kipahulu Valley Biological Reserve, which is off limits to the public.

Mar 11th - 15:11pm | Hunter

Y P W I think you just made everyone's point. No one is saying that there should not be some protection for the birds and turtles (some buffers, small seasonal closure here and there when birds show etc), they are just saying that in CH they do not follow typical protocol. And are far to aggressive with full beach closures and the like.

Mar 11th - 14:33pm | WharfRat

I think alot of people have lost sight of the underlying issue here. The DOW, SELC, and others have effectively said they would like to see ORV's banned from the Seashore and pedestrian access limited. Everyone agree? Banning ORV's effectively reduces access to the beach by 80-90% due to the remoteness of the site as well as lack of facilities (parking, restrooms, etc.).

Mar 11th - 13:11pm | y_p_w

You guys make it sounds as if wildlife protection closures/restrictions/mitigations aren't [or shouldn't be] SOP in NPS units.

Mar 11th - 12:10pm | sea mullet

When the time comes(very soon i think) when voting people catch on to the millions of dollars spent to keep them out of the national parks that were formed for them and the billions spent to even keep them open for wildlife only(People no longer welcome) the so called Do Good(fuzzy puppy)idealism will become unfunded and considered inconsistent with what is best for the people.One opinion,one v

National Park Mystery Spot 9 Revealed: A Street Runs Through It

Mar 13th - 13:55pm | teamredwood

Thanks for the great story! Keep them coming about Redwood National Park.

Cost Savings Mean the National Park Service Can Fund More Projects In the Parks

Mar 13th - 09:58am | Bat

I'm glad to hear that the Catoctin aqueduct will be rehabbed, it's a stately old structure that will finally get the attention it deserves. It's nice to know where some of this stimulus money is actually going, and that it will actually do some good! After all the stories of graft, nepotism and abuses, how gratifying to know some people at the top exercise good sense.

Mar 13th - 00:46am | Rick B.

This is really good news and evidence of good management by Director Jarvis and staff. When the parks take a beating by the usual suspects for whateverthehell the issue of the day is, it is good to acknowledge the attaboys as well.

Climate Change: Fact or Fiction?

Mar 13th - 09:52am | Anonymous

RAH, I don't know how you can post this fallacious tripe with a clear conscience. The change in the number one warmest year in the US, not the globe - that's 2005, was that '34 moved from a statistical tie with '98, to a statistical tie with '98. A fact Hansen stated from the get-go. 2009 is also in a statistical tie for second place behind 2005 with '34 and '98.

Mar 13th - 03:19am | Anonymous

Reams of data? how many years? 100? 1,000? 1,000,000? Can they or we compare it to other reams of data to assert any theory that is 57% predictable? hmmm.

Creature Feature: The Hawaiian Hoary Bat (‘ōpe‘ape‘a) is Hawaii’s Only Native Terrestrial Mammal

Mar 13th - 02:41am | Anonymous

A nearly hairless mammal learned to make tools, fashion a boat, and sail to Hawaii.

Traveler's Gear Box: When It Comes To Base Layers, Do You Opt for Wool or Poly?

Mar 12th - 18:10pm | Anonymous

I grew up in the northwest rain and wool was the only thing that kept me alive on more than one occasion. I've tried all the synthetics - or at least most off of them - and I always come back to wool. Guess I'm one of those people who takes comfort in the scratch factor. And I don't need the new uber-wools either - I'll still trust my life to my Filson's in any kind of cold or wet weather.

Mar 12th - 17:37pm | y_p_w

A lot of the newer synthetic fabrics come with odor-control properties - usually from treatments with silver compounds. I find that it works (a lot of socks use them now) although there's some controversy over silver contamination of treated wastewater and its toxicity to wildlife. And I suppose the price of good quality wool is an issue, as well as moths.

Mar 12th - 16:18pm | jim.hiker

I have both. As a kid growing up in the 60's and 70's my base layer was Duofolds 50/50 blend between wool and cotton. It was really 2 seperate layers sewn together; merino wool outer and cotton inner. I still have some of them and my kids used to wear them but have since outgrown them. Very comfortabe but on the heavy side.

Mar 12th - 09:23am | Random Walker

Have been layering with merino wool in the backcountry a while now. While they do take a moment longer to dry out, I will never go back to synthetics. I enjoy Icebreaker products and ethics.

Zion National Park Developing Soundscape Management Plan

Mar 12th - 16:27pm | George

Parks with narrow canyons like those in Zion are especially vulnerable to noise pollution because sounds are reflected off the hard surfaces. Noise at one point can easily be heard by visitors way up and down the canyon. This is an advantage for the canyon wren.

Mar 12th - 07:51am | Lawrence

Wow this is great. I will definitely comment on the planning website. I visited Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon for the first time last year. Without a doubt the unnatural sounds in these beautiful environments was a distraction to the otherwise desired ethereal effects. I think of the remark made on Ken Burns' "The National Parks" series to make my point.

The Yosemite Fund is Raising $1 Million for "Youth in Yosemite" Programs

Mar 12th - 13:09pm | Sherri

What better way to teach people of all ages how important it is to take care of the Parks and Hiking trails and yes the wild life. The CCC back in the day as said here, It gave those that did not have a job to make money to support their families and do some thing worth while. Just a note if those that do not have a job and are willing to work should check with the government.

Blind Hiker Plans to Hike The Entire Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Mar 12th - 10:01am | Anonymous

His Facebook page contains some daily updates: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hanson-Appalachian-Trail-Campaign/1897...

Mar 11th - 13:45pm | Ranger

I don't know how many blind hikers have hiked the AT, but I do know it has been done before. I think Bill Irwin was the first: http://www.fred.net/kathy/at/irwin.html

"Poor Judgment and Performance" Acknowledged in National Park Service Investigation of Hubbell Trading Post Operations

Mar 12th - 09:13am | pkrnger

The anonymous comments posted above on this highly sensitive article indicate that the problem may be systemic and not limited to a single park unit.

Cape Cod National Seashore Plan to Protect Piping Plovers By Killing Some Crows Not Welcomed by All

Mar 12th - 07:23am | rashionalvoyce

There is plenty of information for those who would like ot know more about this at http://www.nps.gov/caco/shorebird-management-pilot-program.htm It will answer many questions raised above

Managing Elk at Theodore Roosevelt National Park – The NPS has Released Its Plan

Mar 11th - 17:35pm | y_p_w

The Private:

Mar 11th - 17:07pm | The Private

What makes these high priced professional "sharp shooters" Professional sharp shooters? All I can think of is that 1) they get paid so I guess that makes them professionals; and 2) they haven't managed to shoot themselves, if that is what it takes to be a sharp shooter. If anyone can correct me on this I would be more than happy to stand corrected.

National Park Foundation, ARAMARK Parks Offering Contest With Prize A National Park Stay

Mar 11th - 14:27pm | DW

have they announced the winners yet? I am anxiously checking my mailbox every day...........would love to win that grand prize.................

Take Care if You're Visiting Alaska National Parks, As Bears Aren't Being Bashful

Mar 11th - 13:03pm | Ugbert

The same archaeologist who shot this bear has a very cavalier attitude towards bears but very little experience...He was seen the summer before fishing on the Brooks River with a handgun strapped to his chest and only a NPS ball cap to identify himself as an employee.

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