Federal Land Closures: Political Theatre at its Worst

[JJB11B]

100 years ago when men were men we would be at civil war over something like this

[buckfvr]

Dont rule it out yet....................

[bigtex]

There has been a lot of questions why NPS and USFWS lands are essentially locked down, but BLM and USFS lands are not. Here is a difference

NPS/USFWS:
-Typically gated
-Typically in one large management piece, or several pieces
-Typically well fenced

So pretty simply to enforce this. Anyone that drives past a gate, or is inside a fence violated the law

BLM/USFS:
-Some USFS roads have gates, many don't
-Not many BLM roads have gates
-Most areas BLM/USFS lands aren't fenced, and if they are its usually because of livestock issues
-A lot of BLM and USFS lands are checkerboarded and aren't simply in one management area.

So for BLM and USFS they closed the areas they could, such as boat launches, campgrounds, picnic areas, etc. SOME USFS and BLM roads have had gates shut, but not many. Think of it like this, there are probably 5-10 more gates in the Snoqualmie Ranger District of the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest then there is at Mt Rainier National Park. Shutdown the southern entrance near Ashford and all roads off of 410 and the Park is closed. How long would it take just to close one USFS district?

[bigtex]

Why aren't they shutting down Forest Service and BLM land, too?  The reason is because it would be simply impossible

They can shut down NPS and other lands, because those lands ostensibly require a fee, implied permission or permit to use.

Actually a large majority of NPS and USFWS lands don't require a fee, permit, etc

[Knocker of rocks]

By using Alaska, that becomes true.  But the majority of National Parks in the lower 48 do.

[bigtex]

By using Alaska, that becomes true.  But the majority of National Parks in the lower 48 do.

National Parks yes, but you need to remember out of the 401 NPS "units" only 59 are "National Parks." There is an actual NPS site which shows which areas charge fees for entrance, of course it is down because of the shutdown. But the majority of the 401 units actually do not charge fees for entrance.

[Knocker of rocks]

I said National Parks, I did not say "National Park Unit" or anything similar.  I am well aware of the difference, and do not need to use minutiae to be correct.  There are three National Parks in Washington, and a small unit of Klondike downtown.  Two require fee's to access the majority of the park, and all require fee's and/or permits for overnight visitation.

[bigtex]

There are three National Parks in Washington, and a small unit of Klondike downtown.

Not trying to argue. The Klondike unit in downtown is not a "national park" but rather part of the Klondike Goldrush National Historical Park, since it is not a "National Park" it is not one of the 59. Just like how the other National Historical Parks in WA are not one of the 59.

[12Gauge]

Here is my theory why this is happening.  He wants to the blame on the Republican, make it as painful as possible for the people to brain wash the low information voters for the 2014 senator and congressman election to win the senate and the house.  All this work so that he can continue his Fabian Socialist ideals. 

If he controls the house and the senate by 2014 he can then set Hillary for the Presidency in 2016.  If she wins good by Constitution by 2020. 

[huntrights]

Write the President and let him know that he and his administration are clearly to blame for this mess and that what he is doing is unforgivable.  His political grandstanding at the expense of American citizens is obvious as ever.  His finger pointing goes right back at him.

If you are tired of Obama's political BS, let him know it.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

You seem to have Barack Obama confused with someone who gives a rip what you think.

 
I know he doesn't seem to care about what we think, but it's kind of like a couple of Senators we know; we should write them anyway.  If enough people write, they might change their tune a little bit ... maybe.

[Special T]

White pirate thank you for correcting me. I was obviously wrong.