Re: Secretary of the Interior for a Day
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:28 am
I would allow more experimentation - provisional rule changes to study the effectivenss or need of the rules. For example, do away with permits for Yosemite north of Tioga Road for 1-2 years and see what happens. Put in solar powered motion sensors near the trailhead and at various locations on the trail, to monitor the use. In conjunction put up information on the park website that try to get people to use the less used trails. Will people "regulate" themselves or do they need permits? Another provisional program - allow bow hunting by selling special permits. With bow hunting the safety issue is addressed. I know bow hunters who would be willing to pay $100 or more just to hunt. The park needs the revenue. Hunt both deer and bears. Getting bears to fear humans again is a good thing. The deer population also needs occasional culling. This may be good for the park, or may not, but you never know if you do not try it. The goal should be just enough regulations to get the job done, but not mindless over-regulation. I think there is room for a lot more "non-quota" trailheads. Obviously, the big named trails like the JMT need to be regulated.
Fees - here we need to do more evaluation of how to get revenue without making parks only for the rich. The Bay Area is a prime example of how NOT to do this! I think State Parks have shot themselves in the foot by raising fees so high that few people can afford to go.
I definitely would add more "walk-in" campgrounds. Make them small but have more of them. Yosemite Valley needs at least one more "Camp 4". I would also segregate RV's and tent camping. They do this at Lodgepole, and I really like it.
I would do more trail maintainence. One reason maintained trails are so crowded is that some of the older trails have been left to deteriorate, thus people are channeled onto the better maintained trails. I would like to see the Conservation Corps program expanded. It is a win-win for both the parks and the young people who are in the CCC.
I would reduce entrance fees and have automated entrance stations. I think it is a waste of resources to have two to three rangers man entrance stations. Those rangers can do a lot more good patrolling the park.
Personal car use within the park should be reduced but not eliminated. I think the current programs of expanding cheap shuttle services are heading in the right direction. If you build a really good public transportation system, people will use it once they realize it saves them from sitting in traffic.
Over the years I have run into more and more large groups of international backpackers, particularly on the JMT. The parks are first and foremost FOR the American people. The number of permits given to non-nationals should be tracked and proportionally limited. I think there is room for everyone, but there has to be better permit management in this regard. We at least need to have this discussion- when access is limited, who should be first in line?
Eliminate open campfires in Yosemite Valley from May to November. Most people cannot build a good campfire and smog in the valley is a real problem. The geographical nature of the valley just cannot handle the smoke. If people want campfires, then they can to up on the rim to the campgrounds with better wind.
Prescribed burns need to consider air pollution and be limited to only a few months of the year. A well managed forest would need less prescribed burns. Allow selective logging where needed.
Fees - here we need to do more evaluation of how to get revenue without making parks only for the rich. The Bay Area is a prime example of how NOT to do this! I think State Parks have shot themselves in the foot by raising fees so high that few people can afford to go.
I definitely would add more "walk-in" campgrounds. Make them small but have more of them. Yosemite Valley needs at least one more "Camp 4". I would also segregate RV's and tent camping. They do this at Lodgepole, and I really like it.
I would do more trail maintainence. One reason maintained trails are so crowded is that some of the older trails have been left to deteriorate, thus people are channeled onto the better maintained trails. I would like to see the Conservation Corps program expanded. It is a win-win for both the parks and the young people who are in the CCC.
I would reduce entrance fees and have automated entrance stations. I think it is a waste of resources to have two to three rangers man entrance stations. Those rangers can do a lot more good patrolling the park.
Personal car use within the park should be reduced but not eliminated. I think the current programs of expanding cheap shuttle services are heading in the right direction. If you build a really good public transportation system, people will use it once they realize it saves them from sitting in traffic.
Over the years I have run into more and more large groups of international backpackers, particularly on the JMT. The parks are first and foremost FOR the American people. The number of permits given to non-nationals should be tracked and proportionally limited. I think there is room for everyone, but there has to be better permit management in this regard. We at least need to have this discussion- when access is limited, who should be first in line?
Eliminate open campfires in Yosemite Valley from May to November. Most people cannot build a good campfire and smog in the valley is a real problem. The geographical nature of the valley just cannot handle the smoke. If people want campfires, then they can to up on the rim to the campgrounds with better wind.
Prescribed burns need to consider air pollution and be limited to only a few months of the year. A well managed forest would need less prescribed burns. Allow selective logging where needed.