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Show AUGUST Most Want More 1996 Funding for America’s Over-Used and Troubled National Parks By Christopher Smart shortage of rangers is leading to supervision of the mobs that now visit them each summer. National Parks now have a backlog across the nation this summer, mericans and foreign tourists, alike, are crowding into our National Parks in record numbers, but increastreasures are ingly these national under-staffed and are becoming down. Surveys have consistently shown that Americans want more of some LZ ay “Yy in Although failing,” Pritchard said in a Mountain Times interview. “Congress can not properly, in the frenzy of Washington needed Would you be more likely to vote for presidential candidate who is committed to parks? \ No 4% Doesn’t matter 5% National Monument to Yellowstone Park, and from Yosemite in California to the Everglades in Florida, campgrounds are closing, trash is piling up, and things are generally not getting done for lack of funding from a Congress that has consistently played the parks like chips in a political poker game. public support Hansen, who That measure 9 —-7 MONDAY - FRIDAY 10 -7 SATURDAY, 12 - 6 SUNDAY PARK CITY'S ONLY ORGANIC GROCERY STORE 1270 IRONHORSE DRIVE + 649-4561 WITH POWER DRINKS ATHLETIC ENERGY FOOD NATURAL DIET AIDS NATURAL BUG REPELLENT SUNSCREENS * LOTIONS READY MADE SANDWICHES & JUICES TO GO Oddly enough, as Republicans, like Hansen, cinch the budget belt on would have created a parks closure committee to study closing as many parks for local and special interest.” last year introduced H.R. Is your representative’s record on as 315 parks and national parks important when you vote? other installations overseen by the US Parks Service. Once closed, parks were to be sold off to the private sector, according to Hansen’s plan. Yes 75% Although Hansen’s bill did not make it out of committee, National Parks continue to be buffeted by everchanging political winds, ‘explained Paul Pritchard, president of the National Parks and Conservation Association. Pritchard suggests moving parks out of the Department of Interior to de-politicize them — something like The Smithsonian Institution. “The Parks Service is doing the best it can. It is the Congress that is GEAR UP FOR OUTDOOR SUMMER FUN () politics, keep a look out for the national interest. You have every member of Congress trying to manipulate the the parks fraying at the edges. Leading the charge against National Parks is Utah’s Rep. Jim 260. parks and want Ss billion expenditures. Observers say the parks are in crisis. From Southern Utah’s Hovenweep run a more funding for them. But for the first time, a poll shows Americans are ready to vote for candidates who will funding for increase Yes National Parks — something 96% Congress hasn’t been willing to do since the late sixties. From 1983 to 1996, the annual funding for National Parks has declined by $202 million, when adjusted for inflation, according to the and Conservation National Parks Association. During that same period, visitation to parks has grown 30 percent — from 207 million to over 270 million per year. Underfunded now for decades, roads, campgrounds and other facilities at our parks are crowded and failing. A x $4-to-$8 for National Parks has never been higher, a budget-wary Congress continues to underfund them. Now, that pennywise, pound-foolish stewardship has all sorts of problems, including a lack of A. parks in Washington, Republicans closer to home pump up Utah’s National Parks for tourism. The Council, an arm of state Among other things, the Travel Council has a page on the World-Wide Continued on page 9 yoming 10% OFF ALL Wyoming Don’t Miss Our Sale Wear Racks Shows pride in organizations that protect the world we live in by continuously donating a portion of our profits to: Conservation Alliance * Jackson Hole Alliance Greater Yellowstone Coalition We hope you take a vested interest in Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream Come in and create your own unique taste sensation! Choose from more than 30 varieties of fruit and candies to blend with Red's 100% all natural NO FAT frozen yogurt and invent your very own flavor! Bring this ad in and receive 50¢ off on your next purchase! Good only at 9th & 9th location. Utah Travel government, has an annual budget of $3.7 million. your surroundings by making The Mountain Times an important part of your mountain lifestyle. Wyoming Woolens_ 518 Historic Main * Park City, Utah & Jackson Hole Wyoming 801-645-9427 |