Re: Do Things Change?

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Posted by sand on August 23, 2004 at 23:54:36:

In Reply to: Do Things Change? posted by LeRoy Johnson on August 23, 2004 at 16:09:15:

I have been going out to Death Valley for three years now. I always go between July and September. In all the times I have been, I rarely see a soul, and if I do it's only on the road in and out. I hike and camp in places so remote I can't even see trails. For me that is the real Death Valley, not Furnace Creek or Stovepipe, though I understand they are a part of the history.
It must be a very different place that others experience with the rangers who hassle and give out tickets. Pure speculation on my part, but tickets are given when one is doing something wrong, and I would think it must be frustrating for rangers who see people who are not equipped going into places they should'nt be going.
With the state of the park system finacially, I cannot imagine much change happening, though no doubt some will.
I do believe that it is good Death Valley was made a Natl. Park, if for no other reason than to keep our ridiculously immense, destructive, massively polluting military complex from getting a hold of the land. Look at a map and see how much land China Lake, Fort Irwin and Nevada Test sites have. See that they border 3 sides of the park. They and Las Vegas are the most serious threat the park has. It is deeply sobering and sad when you can climb certain hills and view vast valleys filled with tanks.
Good to worry about the palm trees and burros, and cranky rangers, good to learn about the creosote and manzanita. I say too that if you love the place, dig a bit deeper and see where the real threats are. Read up on the damage the military has done to the west. Learn about how much water Vegas is trying to take from the aquifers. Know that public land frequently is taken over by the military and not given back. The land around Fallon Nevada is a perfect example. At least as Natl. Park, it is a little tougher to mess it up.
I have read several posts from people complaining about road closures. The reasoning being the Park wants the land to revert. What is interesting is to see some of this land is involved in what may go back to BLM property. Land that borders Fort Irwin, and China Lake. Also, the services are so stretched already, staffing is difficult. How can so much land be patrolled? What should be thought about is Death Valley becoming another Monument Valley. "Drive through, but don't touch"
Problem is, we seem slow to learn from our mistakes. I truly hope Death Valley is a tough enough place that it will remain relativley untouched, and I hope it is not "killed" by the unseen things that have the ability to change it the most.



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