News


2019 11 04 Industry-Heavy Committee Recommends More Commercialization In National Parks

A Department of Interior advisory committee entirely made up of representatives of recreation heavyweights like Aramark and KOA has released a memo recommending that National Park Campgrounds be turned over to private industry to operate for profit. The memo calls for wifi, food trucks, mobile camp stores, and eliminating Senior camping discounts during peak seasons. In media interviews, the committee’s Vice Chairman, Derrick Crandall (who proudly takes credit for inventing Fee Demo back in the day) has even suggested that some campsites should be designated for receiving overnight Amazon shipments – for an extra fee, of course. We’ve been warning about this for decades, but this time the media is actually paying attention.

2019_12_02_LA_Times_Editorial_Privatization_Is_Absurd

2019_12_01_Newsday_Editorial

2019_11_15_MOnline_Privatization_in_National_Parks

2019_11_14_Connecticut_Welcome_To_Golden_Arches_National_Park

2019_11_07_Fresno_Bee_Whats_Next_Gondola_Up_Halfdome

2019_11_05_LA_Times_Editorial

2019_11_04_LA_Times_On_Park_Privatization

2019_11_04_USA_Today_on_NPS_Privatization_of_Campgrounds

2019_10_21_Outside_Online_Plan_Would_Make_Camping_Worse

2019_10_11_The_Hill_on_ORAC_Recommendations

2019_10_11_Plans to Privatize National Parks Outlined in Trump Admin Memo Would Enrich Donors Special Interests


2018 03 19 Wayne National Forest Suspends Trail Permit Requirement

After years of persistent efforts by local equestrians, the Wayne National Forest is backing down from their long time requirement that horseback riders and mountain bikers purchase a Trail Permit. Public comment was overwhelmingly in favor of this long overdue change, and it is expected to receive approval by the Recreation Resource Advisory Committee on April 21, 2018. In anticipation of that likely approval, the Forest Supervisor has administratively suspended the requirement.

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