| Page 4 | National Parks Traveler

Not mentioned in Project 2025 but repeaedly mentioned by trump over the past year is his declaration that if given another chance to lead this great nation he will take public lands away from us public land owners so as turn our lands into "Freedom Cities". He says nothing of paying us for our land.

Mar 25th - 22:09pm | Sequoiadendron

"Here in Sequoia NP, almost all of the infrastucture is Mission 66" Sounds like Sequoia AND Kings Canyon NP has an unsustainable amount of infra. "many sections of the Generals Highway that were compromised"

Mar 25th - 19:14pm | ecbuck

Got it wrong again Michael. Not "on Day 1" but "Except day one". He jokingly commented he would not be a dictator "Except day one" and specifically mentioned he would use his presidential powers to close the southern border with Mexico and expand oil drilling. Two powers fully within the Presidential perogative exhibiting no dictatorial traits.

Mar 25th - 18:26pm | Sequoia

Here in Sequoia NP, almost all of the infrastucture is Mission 66 era goods and woefully inadequate as it is, the main visitor center @ Lodgepole dates from the early 60's, and the mens facilities have 3 toilets and a like amount of urnials for half of the 2 million visitors to do their business.

Mar 25th - 17:58pm | chris...

Mar 25th - 17:40pm | Michael Kellett

Hi ec, No, he did not say he would be a dictator FROM day 1. He said that he would be a dictator ON day 1. Here he is saying it to Hannity on FOX News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQkrWL7YuGk

Mar 25th - 17:24pm | Michael Kellett

Hi Pedro. Yes, I recall that Bob also urged us to, ""Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, no one but ourselves can free our minds."

Mar 25th - 17:16pm | ecbuck

No Michael Trump did not declare he would be a dictator from day 1.

Mar 25th - 15:20pm | Pedro

Hi Michael, like my good friend Bob Marley said, don't worry! All that gloom and doom you're spreading is probably not going to happen. Maybe kick back, relax, and spark one, bro. We're only here for a short time, and you're dark, man! Enjoy life! Get outside! :)

Mar 25th - 14:30pm | Michael Kellett

Thanks for this, Kurt. I was working on land conservation and other environmental issues during the Reagan administration in the 1980s. I remember his anti-environmental appointees such as James Watt, Anne Gorsuch, and John Crowell. They did incredible damage to their agencies and to the earth.

Mar 25th - 12:54pm | Pedro

Doesn't matter who's at the helm of the Titanic; it's still gonna crash and sink. What's the NPS "maintenance" backlog up to now? Did it go down under Obama or Biden? What's the national debt now? 35 trillion? How many billions are the feds borrowing and spending everyday?

Mar 25th - 11:35am | RangerR

True That! .

Mar 25th - 09:42am | A. Johnson

Well Kurt, that's quite a provocative piece! I applaud you for posing the question. As far as the basis for this piece--the proposal from former gov't employees--it is unlikely that Trump or most anyone else has noticed the proposal, let alone plan to adopt it. So, while it's a good place to start this conversation, it is unlikely to ever get implemented let alone noticed.

Mar 25th - 09:14am | Loui

What is truly unsustainable is the way the the National Parks have been funded since their inception. We need another model. While this article would seem to trigger a tidal wave of Trump Derangment Syndrome, let us not forget which administration brought about the Great American Outdoors Act in an effort to maintain what we've got.

Mar 25th - 08:33am | Lee Dalton

If enough Americans are stupid enough to vote for donald and he manages to slither back into the White House, it won't be just our parks and forests that suffer.

Mar 25th - 06:00am | Chris….

The drag shows and Political takeover of the nps has occurred under bidens reign. it will take years to undo biden literally changed the nps mission statement get back to preserving and protecting public lands. No more "telling stories" that are political...

National Park Service Sued Over Eagle Killing At Valles Caldera National Preserve

Mar 26th - 12:37pm | Randall Scott

Laws mean nothing to this administration.

Mar 26th - 12:28pm | Michael Kellett

This lawsuit is good news. If the NPS opened this decision up to public comment I am sure it would be overwhelmingly opposed.

Mar 26th - 07:54am | chris...

Where is the DOJ charges? If no one is above the law then why is Chuck Sams not being charged criminally? A white house staffer is in prison- the law is the law... right?

Agencies Propose Return Of Grizzly Bears To North Cascades Ecosystem

Mar 24th - 19:23pm | chris...

Grizzlies are not endangered and when asked about her knowladge of the population in the state of Montana Deb Halland had no idea of how many griz were in the state.

Mar 24th - 13:33pm | Michael Kellett

Yes, politics was put above science here. They are caving in to political opposition by using the "experimental non-essential" designation. Like wolves, lots of disinformation about grizzlies has been spread by special interests such as ranchers, predator-hating reactionaries, and their political allies. The grizzly bear is an endangered species and it deserves full protection.

Mar 24th - 12:16pm | A. Johnson

This is another prime example of politics trumping science, and common sense. Even locasl do not want it. If this effort succeeds, it will be a DISASTER for people, pets, recreators, livestock, wildlife, and the griz. The North Cascades complex is not what it was, and never will be. This makes as much sense as trying to reintroduce dinosaurs.

Planning And Preparing For A National Park Trip

Mar 24th - 12:23pm | A. Johnson

Great advice, Rebecca. Although I'm aging, I still prefer to disperse camp where possible and will even drive out of the way to do so. Saving money on lodging/motels is a priority for me as I travel solo; the flexibility in not having to make rez is nice too. Many of my travels and goals are on USFS property, so less busy places are a plus.

Mar 23rd - 15:09pm | chris....

I used to just go... Best to keep bearspray inside a canister designed to hold them when in your vehicle. they can explode if they get too hot or just malfunction for various reasons. The canister will keep the spray from injuring you while potentially driving while also containing the spray so it wont ruin your vehicle long term

Mar 23rd - 11:47am | Rebecca Latson

Hi Will, you sound like you are a thorough planner, too. Interesting take on the EV. Yeah, I'm afraid I can't say much about lithium storage battery brands. I have a Goal Zero Yeti lithium battery that I purchased quite a few years ago because it was the only one I'd ever heard about.

Mar 23rd - 09:30am | Will

Great article, Rebecca. It sounds like you were a boy scout ("Be prepared"). Item 7. I recently shopped for a new vehicle. There was an EV on the showroom floor. I asked the salesperson how far it went on a charge and how long it took to recharge. "Not far enough and too long" was the succinct answer. If I had two vehicles, one might be an EV for trips around town.

National Park Service Sued Over Cashless Policies

Mar 22nd - 13:19pm | plainview

Yes! "Sue the bastards!" I'd happily contribute to the plaintiffs legal fund.

Mar 20th - 23:24pm | Clifford

I get that you disagree with the policies of Mr. Trump but since this cashless move by the NPS is happening on Mr. Biden's watch, not Mr. Trump's, perhaps you can tone your political hate down a bit and instead focus on constructively helping us to turn back this misguided NPS policy.

Mar 20th - 17:48pm | chris...

Chris built trails in Yosemite valley. Go take a trip there and ask yourself if lazy govt workers built such things. While Pancho might have been lazy- and sometimes chris was too- most worked pretty darn hard. Ditto for Yellowstone when I worked there. In fact I think the only real lazy people I worked with was upper mgmt. Perhaps thats others reality.

Mar 20th - 17:18pm | Pancho

Some work hard. A lot don't and didn't. I first heard the phrase "good enough for government work" when I worked for the NPS. It was said by workers milking a maintenance project for OT. Half hour breaks throughout the day were common. And it was nearly impossible to get fired. Perhaps chris worked in an alternate reality.

Mar 20th - 13:03pm | chris...

Art- some of us worked very hard in the NPS to ensure the parks were free and open to everyone- including people like you....

Mar 20th - 09:57am | Art Donovan

Yes! This!! I agree 100%

Mar 20th - 09:30am | Art Donovan

Seirously, suing the govt for $10 over cash!! You don't have a card, seriously. Get a life. Find a better hobby than suing the govt over your 'right fighting'.....

Mar 19th - 21:22pm | chris...

I would not say that fed empolyees prefer not to work- I too was one of them. I busted my a.. to get the job done. Often harming myself in the process. Many others did the same. Heck- when I cleared a some trails in Yosemite we worked 12 hrs a day plus with no overtime, running chainsaws and working stock animals to haul equipment.

The National Parks' Lodging Problem

Mar 21st - 15:31pm | John A

Xanterra pays a minimum of $15/hr and charges dorm-style room & board of $17/day.

Traveler's View: The National Park Service's Perplexing Director

Mar 21st - 10:05am | A. Johnson

Frank Buono, who has worked in almost every aspect of national parks for almost 30 years, told the Traveler in November that while the Code of Federal Regulations "contains an exception for existing Federal law or treaty rights. .

Mar 20th - 16:10pm | Michael Kellett

Thank you for this, Kurt. There are a lot of disturbing things raised here. However, I am particularly concerned from my perspective as someone who has worked for almost 40 years to protect native wildlife species and their habitats.

Mar 20th - 12:35pm | A. Johnson

In reaching his decision, Sams -- no doubt sensitive to cultural issues from his own background as a Cayuse and Walla Walla

UPDATE | House Committee Hearing Focuses On Weakening Antiquities Act

Mar 21st - 08:07am | Loui

Little known fact: Subsequent riders in bills have already killed the Antiquities Act in Alaska and Wyoming after the pereceived Executive overreach there; meaning the President cannot designate monuments in those states any longer.

Mar 20th - 12:21pm | A. Johnson

A hearing Wednesday before the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee will focus on proposed legislation to weaken the Antiquities Act that presidents from both parties have used to establish national monuments. "weaken"?

Mar 20th - 12:03pm | Public Land Owner

Buckle up kids because you aint seen nothing yet. Gogle up Project 2025 and read section 16 "Department OF The Interior". Follow that by reading about the "Freedom Cities" our former/returning President is planning on our land. Greatness is comming friends.

Mar 20th - 10:39am | A. Johnson

The Antiquities Act needs reform. Without broader support, say from Congress, the president acting alone via the AA will only perpetuate this cycle of controversially creating new or expanding monuments, then the next president trying to shrink or modify the previous poresident's actions, and on and on, with no real resolution of the monument's status or its scope.

Mar 20th - 10:35am | A. Johnson

While the NPT is free to post whatever comments it wants, the decision to publish Beau's hate-filled comments is surprising. I am certain that if "Republican" was "Democrat", Beau's angry rant would have never seen the light of day.

Mar 20th - 09:16am | Beau

Republicans are greedy, destructive terrorists who have no appreciation for the beauty and peace natural places provide. They only seek to exploit our remaining public places for personal gain. I call upon everyone who loves and appreciates natural beauty to do anything in your power to stop this GOP Terrorism. These people are not decent. They're not focused on the future of our country.

Mar 20th - 08:22am | chris...

We dont have a king. WE have a congress to decide what will be federal land and what will not. Its we the people. Not I the king. The law has always been a joke

Mar 20th - 07:36am | Will De Man

The Antiquities Act is the most powerful conservation law ever, conceived during the Progressive Era. In my reading of the legislative history, the intention of Congress in passing law was for the President to be able to take swift action where other governing bodies couldn't.

Are You an American Homesteader—or a Descendant of One?

Mar 20th - 20:32pm | Kehala Hervey

Choosing to leave what you know and try to make a better like for your family is brave and admirable, and I get why they want to tell those stories.

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