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Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Wed Nov 23, 2011 1:16 amby BobSmith
The National Park Service has begun a review process, initiated by freshman Senator Manchin of WV, to consider a new National Park centered around the high Alleghenies. In the past, it was suggested that Blackwater Falls State Park serve as the center-point of such a park. I hope the proposal is seriously considered and that a new National Park can be formed here in the East. That part of West Virginia certainly has the geological and biological assets for such a park.
I'm sure the coal, gas, gun, and timber industries will fight it tooth and nail, but a National Park in that area is overdue.
Re: Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Wed Nov 23, 2011 1:26 amby lcarreau
It's GREAT to look at the glass as being half full, but I really can't believe how we can AFFORD to have another National Park.
Then again, I guess it would boaster the economy to the point where folks might welcome it in the long run. So, guess I would be a proponent.
Re: Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:31 amby BobSmith
You could have two or three new National Parks, plus funding for them for a the price of a couple of bombers.
Re: Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:06 pmby lcarreau
Oh - sounds like a political issue.
I'm NOT allowed to get into anymore political debates, because I always end up with egg on my face. AND, when I get up in the morning, I require a shave.
Re: Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Wed Nov 23, 2011 5:09 pmby surgent
Very few national parks have come into being without controversy. Read the histories on how Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains NPs came into existence. There are still people miffed about this, even now.
Sometimes the place will be a Natinal Monument for so long that its transition into a National Park is somewhat smooth, e.g. Joshua Tree, Death Valley.
The usual problem is that National Parks try to (a) be contiguous with as few private land enclaves as possible, and (b) try to purchase or secure surrounding lands, usually to preserve watersheds or other aspects that would preserve the proposed park in the long term. These things can take years to happen, not to mention all the studies that need to be done.
In the very long term, it would help the local economy. But people often think only as far as next week, so it's tough to get everyone excited about these things. I hope it goes somewhere. My time in WV has been limited, but I love the rugged mountain scenery and wild rivers when I have been there.
Re: Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Sun Nov 27, 2011 11:15 pmby BobSmith
surgent wrote:Very few national parks have come into being without controversy. Read the histories on how Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains NPs came into existence. There are still people miffed about this, even now.
Sometimes the place will be a Natinal Monument for so long that its transition into a National Park is somewhat smooth, e.g. Joshua Tree, Death Valley.
The usual problem is that National Parks try to (a) be contiguous with as few private land enclaves as possible, and (b) try to purchase or secure surrounding lands, usually to preserve watersheds or other aspects that would preserve the proposed park in the long term. These things can take years to happen, not to mention all the studies that need to be done.
In the very long term, it would help the local economy. But people often think only as far as next week, so it's tough to get everyone excited about these things. I hope it goes somewhere. My time in WV has been limited, but I love the rugged mountain scenery and wild rivers when I have been there.
This would be a case of having to deal some way with private property. Either buy out current owners or figure a way to come to an agreement with inholdings. This are of WV is prime and overdue for National Park status. It's quite beautiful.
Re: Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:30 amby lcarreau
Would be nice if the "private landowners" could DONATE some real estate. Obviously, it's hard for that to happen, unless you somehow CONVERT them to
developing an attitude against GREED and more toward GIVING to humanity in the LONG RUN.
Kinda like these guys ...
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOjz9yMQY5U[/youtube]
Re: Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:06 pmby Bark Eater
Fond memories of a couple of backpacking trips through the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. Also an introductory spelunking trip a bit further to the south during college - something like the Sackett cave system. It is unique for the east coast. Though tough economic times to get something like this through congress. There is a lot of private land interspersed throughout, which would make a contiguous park of any large size very challenging if not impossible.
Re: Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Thu Dec 01, 2011 3:58 pmby BobSmith
Florida Frank wrote:Fond memories of a couple of backpacking trips through the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. Also an introductory spelunking trip a bit further to the south during college - something like the Sackett cave system. It is unique for the east coast. Though tough economic times to get something like this through congress. There is a lot of private land interspersed throughout, which would make a contiguous park of any large size very challenging if not impossible.
It would be tough. No doubt about it. It's even difficult to get going when private parties buy the land and want to GIVE it as a gift to the American people. Witness the troubles in forming the proposed NORTH WOODS NP in Maine. Gun nuts, snowmobile fans, and just general assholes can be activated at the behest of corporate interests to monkey-wrench even private attempts to form a new park. I'm amazed that Percival Baxter was able to accomplish what he did with Baxter State Park. And even he had to make some compromises with the timber interests and allow "scientific" logging in the northern part of the park.
Re: Finally, at least a review...
Posted:
Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:44 amby lcarreau
Florida Frank wrote:There is a lot of private land interspersed throughout, which would make a contiguous park of any large size very challenging if not impossible.
