"The NPS’s new motto should be “All things to all people – strapped not included.” What’s to prevent zip lining from being next (besides, perhaps, well-heeled commercial operations in beautiful Sevier Co)? After all, the…"
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"The following editorial cartoon which appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel as a commentary on GSMNP backcountry fees back in 2013 also proved prophetic in its parking meter imagery while underscoring how quickly and easily sheep can be steered.…"
"I'd bet Blackberry Farm that the Blue Ridge Parkway is already looking into parking fees. Wouldn't be surprised if the Big South Fork is too.
Unchecked authority equates to impudent power which invariably expands and corrupts. "
"At the end of an article in Wedensday’s KNS:
“He (GSM Superintendent Cassius Cash) said Smokies officials visited and talked to other parks across the nation. He said there is a ‘buzz’ in the National Parks System about what…"
"And to Mark Cooke's question below:
"Where is the accountability on a proposal like this on where the monies will REALLY go. Does anyone care? How about transparency?"
Sadly, I'm convinced most don't care, despite…"
"What an absolute joke.
As Tom and (I'm sure) plenty of others have wondered, what constitutes a "correspondence" and what qualifies as an "independent comment"? Let the spin -- oh, never mind the niceties, let the lies…"
"Nice job, John.
It's difficult when there are so many misrepresentations (to be kind) widely circulated and commonly reinforced to even know where to begin when limited to a mere 600 words for a rebuttal.
Did KNS indicate when it would…"
"Question 1:
What parking tag duration (e.g., daily, weekly, annual, or other) would work best for you?
None of them work. The NPS proposal is illegal. Under FLREA parking fees are permissible – with accompanying features such as a restroom,…"
"And the congregation said . . . AMEN!"
"Should anyone want to share their thoughts on the latest proposal for a 100% increase in the backpacker's tax, escalated frontcountry campground fees, and parking fees for every "designated" parking space in the park, the comment…"
"The NPS certainly has utilized COVID to – even more than usual – do as it pleases. That so-called meeting was nothing but a PR stunt. If you’ve read the press releases and the park website FAQ you already knew how they'd…"
"Thanks for posting the link to that article, John.
Though hardly unexpected, it's just sad. I'm surprised it's taken them as long as it has to trot this out after implementing the backpacker tax in 2013.
I see below that…"
"So no public review/comment period on the $56 charge for groups of 8-12 to enter Whiteoak Sink for 3 hours? Has the process changed so that the tax-paying owners no longer have a voice, or is this avoided by merely labeling the new system a…"
"Thanks for the heads up, John. Just did get my comments in before the deadline, for what that effort is worth.
Any road expansion/construction when the park attributes 80% of its maintenance backlog to existing roads is ridiculous. They call the…"
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Erik Gerhardt's Blog
Remember last time GSMNP attempted fees for a backcountry reservation system?
Posted on February 10, 2013 at 8:55pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
Was wondering if anyone frequenting this site might recall exactly what year it was that the Park Service previously floated the idea of backcountry fees to pay for a computer reservation system. They held public meetings, which I attended, but I can't recall what year it was and haven't been able to turn up mention of those meetings with online searches. I'm thinking it was somewhere around '02 - '04. What I do recall is that the plan they put forward was to construct their own in-house…
ContinueComment Wall (5 comments)
- At 11:46pm on April 4, 2015,
Mark Cooke said…
Erik, thank you for all of your outstanding insight and comments you share. What you wrote the other day and how we stay in the fight is spot on.
Hope you have a nice Easter weekend!
Mark
- At 1:35pm on February 26, 2013,
Andrew Sisson said…
Erik, I watched the meeting on the web from Marietta GA. You came into the meeting at the absolute right time. It was a great re-inforcement of what the SFW campaign is all about, but in your own words and supporting facts. Thank you for standing up. I hope to see you in the backcountry one day. AJ from Marietta
- At 6:04am on February 24, 2013,
Jim Casada said…
Erik--Apparently you hit a home run at the Blount County meeting. To contact me privately, just us jimcasada@comporium.net or go through my website, www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com.
Jim
- At 12:26am on February 23, 2013,
Hey Erik, Thanks for your talk last night at the Commission meeting. You really packed a punch with your heart felt talk and all the info you had researched. Thanks so much!
- At 7:56pm on February 10, 2013,
John Quillen said…
Your look pretty spry for a centarion. Welcome to the site.
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