A massive clearcut proposed for national forest lands next to Yellowstone National Park, along with an even larger logging project, have been dropped for the time being by the U.S. Forest Service.

A long-running drought that already has dropped the level of Lake Powell at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area by roughly 41 feet from a year ago has forced the closure of the Stateline Launch Ramp to motorized vessels.

Recent National Park Service actions involving natural resources have some worrying that the agency has lost sight of its conservation mission.

Since 2012, Rocky Mountain National Park has seen a 44 percent increase in visitation, which in turn has created a strain on park facilities, increased safety concerns, and degraded natural and cultural resources. To mitigate this issue, park staff are seeking input from the public for the park's long-range Visitor Day Use Access Strategy.