An abandoned railroad tunnel in the Gauley River National Recreation Area offers a real-world example of a dilemma faced by every park manager: how to balance convenience and existing uses with safety and limited dollars. The Carnifex Tunnel receives occasional use by the park staff and the public—mostly local residents—but an inspection by engineers found crumbling ceilings.

As reported in yesterday's Traveler, a vote may be taken as early as today on a bill that would greatly restrict the power of U. S. Presidents to create new National Monuments via the Antiquities Act of 1906. Does the Act as originally written still serve a useful purpose, or are changes now called for?

Having endured, and survived, an earthquake, the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., is scheduled to open to the public for the first time in nearly three years on May 12.

Acadia National Park. Grand Canyon National Park. Zion National Park. These parks, and dozens of other units of the National Park System, have been created through presidential decree. On Wednesday, though, the House of Representatives will be asked to approve legislation that would greatly dilute that power for future presidents.