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PARKS
GORP Top Ten
Endangered Public Lands
By Andrea Keller, Associate Director of Communications,
National Parks Conservation Association
Western U.S. & Alaska
* Yellowstone National Park
* Glacier National Park
* Denali National Park

Yellowstone National Park
* Wyoming

Yellowstone One word: snowmobiles. Damaging to wildlife and the environment, these machines have raised the ire of the Park Service in Yellowstone, which has decided to phase out their use—a decision supported publicly by the Bush Administration. However, NPCA and other environmental organizations, including the Bluewater Network and The Wilderness Society, maintain that Yellowstone remains in jeopardy. The Park Service's decision is under attack by the snowmobile industry, the groups say, and the Bush Administration is negotiating privately with the industry to allow snowmobiles back into the park.
Recommended solution: The Bush Administration can't give in—it must be made more aware of the damage snowmobiles can do.

Glacier National Park
* Montana

Glacier The Going-to-the-Sun Road is just that: a gorgeous drive that cuts through stunning Glacier National Park. But the road is crumbling, and the park's historic hotels are deteriorating. Lack of operating funds also compromises the park's scientific research, resource interpretation, and backcountry trail maintenance. The North Fork of the Flathead River is threatened by Canadian coal mines and intensive timber harvesting. In the U.S., this biologically diverse floodplain ecosystem is threatened by development of roads, airstrips, and residential subdivisions.
Recommended solution: The Park Service must design a rehabilitation plan for the park's hotels and historic structures, and Congress needs to allocate more money for the park's education and resource-protection programs. A transboundary agreement would bridge the international divide between the United States and Canada and create guidelines for future land use, saving the park's wildlife and the nearby river corridor.

Denali National Park
* Alaska

Denali Awe-inspiring and awesome, Denali and other Alaska parks are threatened by unregulated use of motorized vehicles such as snowmobiles, large-scale commercial development, and unnecessary road and railroad construction. The next step is up to Congress, which must block any legislation that facilitates road or railroad construction in the park. Congress should also oppose any legislation designed to allow snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles into the core of the Denali wilderness, where they are currently outlawed.
Recommended solution: A significant increase in operating funds would enable the park to complete resource-protection efforts and interpretation programs.

If you're interested in helping to protect these parks, visit NPCA's Web site at www.eparks.org. The group's Action Center enables site visitors to send instant mail about park needs to the Park Service and to the president and other elected officials.

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Book an Active Vacation
star Top U.S. vacations—take off today!
bullet Visit Yellowstone - Wildlife, wildflowers, and awesome views: experience this national park.
bullet Safari in Denali - Don't miss out on Alaska's phenomenal wilderness.
bullet The best of Florida - Come play on the Sunshine State's sandy coast.

RELATED GORP LINKS
* GORP Parks & Preserves
* GORP Readers' Favorite National Parks
* GORPtravel



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