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Fake USGS Site Urges Evacuation of Yellowstone National Park

Jan 8th - 09:37am | jsmacdonald

I noticed this several days ago and was really pissed off about it. The fake evacuation appeared to go viral over the internet, and I had a lot of Web searches to my newspaper looking for "evacuation" information.

Jan 7th - 21:27pm | Kirby Adams

Well, post-eruption you won't have to elbow your way through the crowds at Artist's Point to get a good look. Of course, actually finding the spot where Artist's Point used to be would be a whole new challenge! I wonder how snowmobiles fare in several hundred feet of ash?

Jan 7th - 19:23pm | Barky

Everytime I hear "someone created a fake website", I think "here's a guy who should probably get away from his computer and walk in the woods once in a while." Although, I admit, I think this might be the year I finally visit Yellowstone. Ya know, before it blows up and what-not. After that it'll be damned hard to find lodging!

NPCA, Park Retirees File Lawsuit to Halt Change in National Park Gun Rules

Jan 8th - 09:20am | Anonymous

We've geared up and posted signs. Tomorrow concealed weapons will enter the park legally.

Jan 8th - 09:17am | Ted Clayton

Jim in Houston, You picked Warren Z.'s remark: "Or perhaps you'll take it upon yourself to interpret a particular situation you decide is unlawful, thus justifying your need to provide defense?" ... as his "winner". Myself, though, I had a hard time resisting:

Jan 8th - 09:01am | Uncle Lar

I do not expect to have a flat, yet I carry a jack and a spare. I do not expect my house to catch on fire, yet I keep an extinguisher handy. I carry what I believe to be adequate home and auto insurance, though I certainly do not seek out accidents. And where prudent I carry a firearm, though I hope to never need it. If all this labels me paranoid, then so be it.

Jan 8th - 06:59am | Dr. Carl Dick

I am a biologist, and some of my work takes place inside National Parks and Wildlife Refuges. I do not support the NPCAs lawsuit, because I view it as a misallocation of limited financial and human resources. That the Brady Campaign filed suit is understandable, because "that's what they do." But this as an unworthy pursuit by the NPSA.

Jan 8th - 01:21am | Warren Z

Ted:

Jan 8th - 00:33am | Dave O

If only I had a dollar for every time I see in the Morning Report something about firearms possession in a park, I could have retired already!

Jan 7th - 22:56pm | Anonymous

Bravo Ted...Bravo!!

Jan 7th - 21:08pm | Jim In Houston

"Or perhaps you'll take it upon yourself to interpret a particular situation you decide is unlawful, thus justifying your need to provide defense?"

Jan 7th - 20:59pm | Ted Clayton

Warren,

Jan 7th - 20:20pm | Warren Z

Ted:

Jan 7th - 19:54pm | kath

Wow..cute comic! And is that the way we as U.S. citizens should see it? That we cannot go and visit a national park without feeling bodily threatened and in need of a firearm? My husband & I have visited numerous parks, and the day when I don't feel safe...we'll be staying home!

Jan 7th - 19:26pm | Ted Clayton

Warren Z., Warren said:

Jan 7th - 18:37pm | Warren Z

So... let's take all of the discussion about "lobbyists" out of the argument, and get back to the issue.

Jan 7th - 17:57pm | Ted Clayton

Bill, I understand that it is a little distasteful to see your organization mentioned, much less categorized with Exxon or NRA. But I did not say that CNPSR are liars, thieves or otherwise disparage them, only bringing forward that they are a "lobby", like a large number of other such groups that 'work' the government.

Jan 7th - 16:53pm | Bill Wade

Bill Wade Chair, Executive Council Coalition of National Park Service Retirees Ted -

Jan 7th - 16:37pm | Ted Clayton

NRA "drives" laws through Congress. When involved in a conflict or struggle, folks need to know who the opponent actually is, if they are to take effective actions. The problem is, folks very commonly react toward figures & entities other than the source of their grievance. Sounds weird - and often is! - but it's true.

Jan 7th - 16:21pm | Bill Wade

Bill Wade Chair, Executive Council Coalition of National Park Service Retirees

Jan 7th - 14:50pm | Kurt Repanshek

Bill, it's "Kurt.";-) That aside, I'm not at all in favor of crooks. But the system as it's currently running is working if you believe the crime stats for national parks.'Nuff said.

Jan 7th - 14:27pm | Warren Z

Ted Clayton:

Jan 7th - 14:13pm | Rick Smith

Not only that, Kurt, but Senator Crapo, R-Id, admits that the NRA drafted the letter that Senators signed and sent to Kempthorne. I think Ted is underestimating the capacity of the NRA to drive campaigns like this.

Jan 7th - 14:08pm | bill woodard

Kirk: Why are you in favor of crooks, who never have or had paid any attention to any law be the only ones to carry concealed firearms in the national parks? When any organization or business support a law that does not allow a citizen with a concealed weapons license to carry a gun for protection is telling the crook it is ok to rob and kill the unarmed citizen.

Jan 7th - 13:58pm | Random Walker

Jan 7th - 13:52pm | BILL WOODARD

This is most disappointing: I dont understand why any group is willing to tell the crooks it is OK to come into the NPS and rob and kill who they want because no one will be able to protect themselves. Sorta dumb isnt it.

Jan 7th - 13:41pm | Kurt Repanshek

Oh, I don't know Ted, I it's fairly accurate to say NRA drove this measure right through the Senate. They worked with Sen.

Jan 7th - 11:18am | Ted Clayton

In this article, Kurt characterizes the new rule-change as "National Rifle Association-driven". Well ... certainly, the NRA liked this idea, was doubtless instrumental in hustling around Congress etc on it's behalf, and otherwise cheerleading & pitching-in any way they could. Sure ... but 'NRA-driven' is a significant enhancement of the capacity they wield.

Interior Officials Want to Allow Concealed Carry in the National Parks

Jan 8th - 08:58am | Anonymous

What are you going to shoot it down with if you can't take a gun into the park?

Jan 8th - 08:56am | Guns R Safe, Pe...

I am 24 years old, VA resident. I was gun shooping around Thanksgiving 08. I was asking a myriad of questions (as I often do when pursuing something new). The gun dealer told me a story that him and his son (10 years old) went camping. They saw a relatively small bear and it began to charge the boy.

National Park System Would Gain Official Wilderness Under Omnibus Lands Bill

Jan 8th - 06:44am | Sabattis

Random Walker - Thanks for the link, I stand correct on that point. In practice, though, even decisions on signage seem to be made on a case-by-case basis, and there certainly are a number of wilderness areas where trailhead signage is only placed at the wilderness area boundary, but further trail markers are not placed within the area itself.

Jan 7th - 22:18pm | JimB

It will be interesting to see how this bill fares so early in the new session; perhaps that will provide a hint at how other park-related actions will fare.

Jan 7th - 22:15pm | Random Walker

Limited signage is allowed in designated wilderness areas: The Wilderness Act of 1964 and Signs

Jan 7th - 20:30pm | Sabattis

Paul - If you've ever visited a Park that is largely wilderness, like North Cascades, and compared it to the experience of say visiting Yosemite Valley or the developed areas of Yellowstone, I think you would quickly see the difference.

Jan 7th - 20:24pm | tahoma

It may not be such a reach, Kurt. Most of the larger units have a cadre of relatively well paid employees who have a vested interest in building new infrastructure. These range from contracting officer and Trail Foreman to Landscape Architect, Chief of 'Maintenance', and beyond.

Jan 7th - 20:18pm | Sabattis

Preoccupation with the economic crisis certainly played a role, but it was still somewhat surprising that Congress failed to pass its now seemingly standard end-of-session omnibus public lands bill. Even with the economic crisis, this probably would have still have passed but for the objections of Senator Coburn of Oklahoma. Sen.

Jan 7th - 19:17pm | Barky

OK, makes sense I suppose. Thanks for that! ==================================================== My travels through the National Park System: americaincontext.com

Jan 7th - 18:43pm | Kurt Repanshek

Barky, no, it's not exactly empty rhetoric. While the areas in question have been "managed" as defacto wilderness, that's not the same as being officially designated wilderness.

Jan 7th - 18:33pm | Barky

Help me out here: why is a wilderness declaration of regions within an existing national park really matter? I understand that declaring other lands as 'wilderness' affords them protection from development, road building, etc., but aren't lands within a park already protected?

How Many National Park Rangers Does It Take to Cut Down a Tree?

Jan 8th - 00:41am | Dave O

It sounds to me like $600 toilet seats and $100 hammers are a deal compared to the cost of this.

Jan 7th - 12:52pm | imtnbke

That's funnier than most attempts at humor I've read recently! You ought to submit a version of this story to national magazines like The Atlantic or the libertarian-oriented Reason. I wouldn't bother with Harper's, though; unless it's changed, the editors wouldn't see the humor.

Yosemite National Park Officials Looking For Suggestions on Preserving Badger Pass Ski Lodge

Jan 7th - 23:42pm | A Lurker

Ted, ClaireWalter's 5,000 figure is for the winter season at Hurricane Ridge, not for year-round. This is directly from the page she considerately linked to in her post.

Avalanche Awareness Clinic Set for Olympic National Park

Jan 7th - 21:14pm | Ted Clayton

The U.S. Forest Service has a NWAC Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center website that offers unusual & cool weather & forecasts. I use this site to fine-tune the Olympic Peninsula outlook.

National Park Quiz 36: Management

Jan 7th - 19:06pm | Bob Janiskee

Jeez, Barky, I can't get eleven correct myself! I demand a recount.

Jan 7th - 18:40pm | Barky

Wow, only got one wrong (including the bonus questions). My best showing yet! Sadly, one I got wrong (the Craters of the Moon) is one I actually visited. I thought the City of Rocks was the jointly managed recreation area, being a haven for recreational rock climbers. Are you sure that's not the correct answer? ;-) =====================================

Jan 7th - 10:34am | Kevin Turner

Great quiz! Please correct the answer key to show that B Historic Jamestowne is the correct answer for question number 5. The text describing the answer is correct, but the incorrect letter (C, indicating Montecello) is listed. [Ed: The correction has been made, with thanks to Kevin.]

Brady Campaign Sues Interior Department over Concealed Carry in National Parks

Jan 7th - 12:11pm | John in North C...

"The Bush Administration's last-minute gift to the gun lobby, allowing concealed semiautomatic weapons in national parks, jeopardizes the safety of park visitors in violation of federal law," said Mr. Helmke. "We should not be making it easier for dangerous people to carry concealed firearms in our parks."

This Park Combines Scenery and History on a Desert Island

Jan 7th - 07:21am | JimB

Well, we can have a bit of literary fun with the terms "desert" and "deserted" as they apply to this story. In the context of the story and the absence of a source of fresh water, "desert" was the intended word.

Resolved: I’ll Visit at Least These Five National Parks in 2009

Jan 7th - 04:11am | Bob Janiskee

Well, Rick, I do have a friend up that way who operates a skytrekking operation. Maybe I could get him to cut me a deal. The trip I have in mind would still be pretty expensive, since I'd like to see some other parks and float some rivers as well. Will you lend me seven thousand dollars?

Bush Administration Publishes Proposed Rule For Mountain Biking in National Parks

Jan 7th - 02:52am | Ted Clayton

Kurt notes that if we get a good cellulose-conversion process going we might become greedy, over-harvest the forest here on the Olympic Peninsula, and thus generate an environmental movement backlash against our excess. The problem is, though, that logs yield more value if they are turned into lumber & pulp, than if they are turned into fuel.

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