2016 05 27 NPS Punishes Whistleblowers Promotes Wrongdoers
House hearing examines the Park Service culture, where ethics violations get you promoted, while reporting sexual harassment gets you fired.
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2016 05 27 House Hearing Criticizes NPS Culture of Corruption
With ethics scandals plaguing Park Service officials right up to the agency Director, a House subcommittee took a look at the overall culture that allows violators to be promoted instead of punished. Shortly after, the NPS Director apologized in writing to all NPS employees. Is he trying to save his job?
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2016 05 26 Advertising In National Parks Is A Terrible Idea
Outside Magazine rails against the privatization and commercialization of the National Parks that is being pushed by NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis.
2016 05 12 Fee Climbs For Mt Evans
The Denver-owned park on Mt Evans in Colorado is adding its own $5 fee to the one charged by the US Forest Service, making full access to all the facilities on the mountain a whopping $15 per day. But thanks to the lawsuit several years ago by two Colorado wilderness users, supported by the WSNFC, you can still drive the road for free, and even visit the developed facilities for free so long as you park some distance away and walk in. Walk on!
2016 05 10 The Latest Recreational Activity in the National Parks – Influence Peddling
Another take on the decision by ethically challenged NPS Director Jarvis to seek corporate funding for our National Parks. “Having Jon Jarvis as the arbiter of propriety in fundraising is like putting a kleptomaniac in charge of mall security.”
2016 05 05 BLM Colorado Wants New Fee at Guffey Gorge
A remote hike-in swimming hole called Paradise Cove in the Guffey Gorge is being proposed as a new fee site by the Rio Grande Field Office of the Colorado BLM. The site has become a party spot, with alcohol and loud music increasingly problems. But instead of patrolling for drunks and other partiers, the BLM just wants to make sure everyone who parks by the road has an “I Paid My Fee” tag on their dashboard. Yeah, that’ll solve it!
2016 05 09 Ethically challenged Park Service selling out to corporate donors
The National Park Service, formerly one of the most highly regarded agencies in the federal government, has been racked by a series of scandals, including a reprimand of its Director, Jonathan Jarvis, by the Inspector General for ethics violations. Now that same Director is expanding the role of corporate funding in the National Parks. Here, the Washington Post takes a close look.
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2016 04 28 Fees Scrapped On NC State Forest
It’s not just federal fees that are unpopular. A proposal to put “dynamic” pricing on a North Carolina State Forest has been shut down. “Dynamic” is code for the price is highest for the most popular places at the best times of year. Short on cash or have an inflexible schedule? Guess you have to just stay home. Hooray for North Carolinians for killing this terrible idea.
2016 04 20 FS Juneau to Charge Fee for Restrooms and Viewing Platforms
At the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, there has been a fee for years to enter the Visitor Center. Now it’s being extended to include the viewing platforms outside and even the use of the restrooms.
2016 04 02 Worth and Value of our Public Lands
A long time Park Service official explains eloquently why access to National Parks and other public lands should be free.