The Yellowstone
Net Newspaper Monday December 22, 1997 Vol. 1 No. 32 |
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by BRUCE T. GOURLEY YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Thanks to additional snowfall this past weekend, the west and south entrances are now open to snowmobiles. Rumors had circulated claiming that the National Park Service would not be opening the entrances to snow machines this year. However, a mere lack of adequate snow cover was the sole reason the opening of the entrances to snowmobiles was delayed. In other news, Yellowstone officials have announced that they have extended until December 31 the deadline for public comment about the proposed closure of one segment of winter roadway in order to study winter migration patterns of Yellowstone's bison.
Wolf Ruling Leads to Outcry by BRUCE T. GOURLEY YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNP) -- There has been much public outcry over a judge's order to remove wolves from Yellowstone. The story has made headlines across America and has been the subject of debate on various internet sites and usenet groups. As reported last week, the judicial order states that all wolves (including offspring) transplanted to Yellowstone through the wolf reintroduction program must be removed, because the reintroduction program allegedly violates the Endangered Species Act. However, Judge William Downes stayed his own order in expectations of a federal appeal. Since the ruling, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbit has stated that he will fight the ruling. In addition, several environmental groups and the Wyoming Farm Bureau have announced plans to file an appeal.
Rick Hutchinson, Deceased Park Geologist, Honored SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. -- The Sunday edition of the Billings Gazette reports that the American Geophysical Union, the largest meeting of earth and planetary sciences in the United States, has posthumously honored longtime Yellowstone geologist Roderick "Rick" Hutchinson, who was known for his groundbreaking research into Yellowstone's thermal features. Hutchinson, a frequent attendee of the annual meeting, was killed earlier this year in an avalanche near Heart Lake in the southern portion of Yellowstone. A park volunteer was also killed in the avalanche. Hutchinson's work among Yellowstone's geysers and hot springs was renowned. His tragic death stunned and saddened the Yellowstone community. Yellowstone officials have not yet hired a new Park geologist. Hutchinson's legacy lives on as scientists continue to study the mysterious inner workings of Yellowstone's geysers and hot springs. The ongoing studies sometimes reveal unexpected findings. Some recent studies, for example, have indicated that the presence of carbon dioxide may play a major role in geyser eruptions.
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A YNET Weekly Feature
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Once again, the National Park Service has made headlines in regards to yet another expensive outhouse project. This time, the attention is focused on Glacier National Park in Montana, where a $1 million dollar outhouse is being constructed in the backcountry, against the wishes of Glacier officials. Designated as a national park in 1910 and located in northwestern Montana, Glacier is an expanse of high, rugged mountains in the Northern Rockies. The park is a favorite of hikers and backpackers, some of whom make use of the Park's two backcountry chalets during the summer season. The million dollar outhouse, along with a second one, will be located at the chalets, and will be replacing old, non-functioning outhouses. Only about 12,000 of the several million visitors to Glacier each year will even have occassion to use the new outhouses. Why spend what will eventually amount to a projected $3-6 million dollars (taking into account anticipated overruns) for two outhouses? Contractors say that the rugged location, accessible only by foot, beast of burden or helicopter drop, and sitting on solid rock, is the primary reason for the high price tag. Also, the state-of-the-art solar powered outhouses are being built to withstand both elements and time. The construction is necessary, the argument goes, because park workers have had to dump human waste into the Park. But why spend such an astronomical sum on outhouses that only a tiny fraction of Glacier's visitors will ever even see? Furthermore, why spend that kind of money against the wishes of Glacier officials? Not surprisingly, politics is the reason for the building of the multi-million dollar outhouses. Glacier officials have stated that they would not have put the money into the outhouses, but were forced to when Montana's congressional delegation -- following intense lobbying efforts by special interests -- demanded that they do so. Some question the wisdom of building the outhouses when Glacier is in need of a new visitor center which would potentially serve all of the Park's visitors. An even more relevant question to ask is, why spend $3-6 million on backcountry outhouses in Glacier which will serve a few thousand vistors when Yellowstone's Old Faithful Geyser, perhaps the single most visible natural feature in any national park, is in growing danger from a leaking sewer system which should have been fixed years ago? The cost tag of replacing the sewer system in Old Faithful is projected at $5 million, the same amount which will most likely be needed to build the two backcountry outhouses in Glacier. And yet, the politicians continue to turn their backs on Old Faithful, leaving National Park Service and Yellowstone officials with their hands tied behind their backs -- and construction projects which they have not asked for and do not want. Building "permanent" backcountry outhouses -- albeit expensive ones -- in Glacier is understandable (at least moreso than the extravagantly expensive outhouse in little known Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania), but is unjustifiable when Old Faithful Village's ancient, leaking sewer system is threatening the world's most famous geyser basin. It is becoming more and more evident that National Park Service officials are no longer allowed to do their job of managing America's national parks. Rather, congressional special interests are too often spending NPS monies according to their own whims, disregarding priority needs and the advice of Park officials. Finally, the question must be asked: if Montana's congressional delegation is so willing and ready to use its muscle in forcing the construction of the backcountry outhouses in Glacier, why have they -- as well as the congressional delegates from Wyoming and Idaho -- refused to use their combined muscle in securing the mere $5 million needed to replace Old Faithful's sewer system? If you are concerned about the neglect of Old Faithful's sewer system, click here to email your congress person.
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Yellowstone is a national treasure which is owned by the American
public. Protecting Yellowstone is the responsibility of the American public.
This weekly feature will help identify and explore the issues which are crucial to the
ongoing, healthy existence of the "Crown Jewel" of America's National Park
system.