YNP Speaker Slips Up, Indicts Winter Proposal
Sep 22nd 2007ScottPolitics & Wyoming & Yellowstone East Gate & conservatism & multiple use & worthwhile reads
It must be getting awful warm up in Mammoth. Penny Preston of KULR 8 did a report on the reactions of our elected leaders to the previews of what to expect when the winter use proposal is released on Monday. At the end of the report, she took some comments from Park Spokesperson Suzanne Lewis’ puppet Al Nash:
Nash said a small number of people sent in comments on the proposed East Gate closure. But, “Of those who commented on Sylvan Pass, the majority commented in favor of continued over snow vehicle access on Sylvan Pass.”
Now that takes guts: admit that those of us concerned about Sylvan Pass were pretty dog-gone unified, but we’re going to get ignored anyway.
Hundreds of people came to meetings with park officials to urge the East gate be kept open in the winter. But, park spokesman Al Nash says other things must be considered.
The feelings of the people in California? Excuse me, but the people of Cody live next to the East Gate. You scratch our back, we scratch your back. You bruise our back, we get upset.
He explained, “We have a body of law, regulation, and now, over a decade of data, analysis, and modeling that have to combine in total.”
The body of law that opened the North Gate says appropriate funds to keep the Park accessible. It says build good roads. Well, the one road that you want closed has been upgraded. What gives? Three decades of data on Sylvan Pass being open shows that it is a safe pass when avalanche mitigation is done properly. Where does this fit into your equation, Mr. Nash?
Nash says the Park Service will take about a month to issue its record of decision, which may, or may not choose the preferred alternative.
I’m sick of hearing “may or may not.” Every time we get all fired up, they have to come around and say, Well, it might not come down the way that you fear. Yea, and the wolves are probably going to stay in the park and not affect the local ranchers. Oh, wait, they already have expanded outside the bounds of the park and they are making a negative impact on ranching. I think we all saw that one coming too. History is not on your side, Mr. Nash.
Technorati Tags: Yellowstone National Park, winter use plan, Al Nash
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