comments in PDF - Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club
comments in PDF - Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club
comments in PDF - Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club
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people s<strong>in</strong>ce this is a loss and downgrad<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> needed personnel numbers from 40 <strong>in</strong><br />
2006.<br />
The <strong>Sierra</strong> <strong>Club</strong> is aware that the Bush Adm<strong>in</strong>istration has attempted to privatize and<br />
shr<strong>in</strong>k the federal employee population which protects public resources (“The<br />
Commons”) and we have opposed these efforts. We do not support privatization of jobs<br />
<strong>in</strong> the NPS s<strong>in</strong>ce a person who works for the public, a public servant, is more likely to<br />
value natural resources because they are not told to make money like someone who<br />
works for a concessionaire or private company whose purpose is to make money. The<br />
<strong>Sierra</strong> <strong>Club</strong> likes public servants <strong>in</strong> the NPS because we believe they can do the best<br />
job and have the <strong>in</strong>terest of the “People” <strong>in</strong> their hearts.<br />
34) Pages 67-78, Alternative A: No Action/Cont<strong>in</strong>ue Current Management, the<br />
<strong>Sierra</strong> <strong>Club</strong> does not support Alternative A. This is because more protection of natural<br />
resources, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g naturally function<strong>in</strong>g ecosystems, is provided <strong>in</strong> Alternative B.<br />
On page 71, the <strong>Sierra</strong> <strong>Club</strong> notes a word<strong>in</strong>g bias by NPS aga<strong>in</strong>st Alternative A. NPS<br />
states “Currently, all cultural <strong>in</strong>terpretive exhibits are housed at a location separate from<br />
the visitor center that is only open part of the time”. This is where this description<br />
should stop s<strong>in</strong>ce it is only supposed to be a description of the alternative. However,<br />
NPS biases the description of Alternative A so that the public will favor the Preferred<br />
Alternative when it says “This limits the ability of visitors to see the cultural exhibits and<br />
learn about the history of the area. Build<strong>in</strong>g a new headquarters would provide<br />
additional space <strong>in</strong> the visitor center for the cultural exhibits”. This text should be found<br />
only <strong>in</strong> <strong>Chapter</strong> 4: Environmental Consequences s<strong>in</strong>ce this is a perceived<br />
environmental problem; is considered to be analysis; and should be disclosed at the<br />
time the alternatives are compared not when they are simply described.<br />
The <strong>Sierra</strong> <strong>Club</strong> makes the same criticism about bias<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>st and for alternatives<br />
with the language on page 71 which says “A new facility would allow for all museum<br />
items to be kept <strong>in</strong> the park and stored <strong>in</strong> one place with appropriate environmental<br />
controls.” This is analysis and rightfully belongs <strong>in</strong> <strong>Chapter</strong> 4 where alternatives are<br />
compared and not when they are simply described. The same can be said for several<br />
more statements on page 71. NPS must not bias this draft GMP/EIS because this<br />
violates NEPA and the NEPA implement<strong>in</strong>g regulations of the CEQ.<br />
On Page 72, McKittrick Canyon, the <strong>Sierra</strong> <strong>Club</strong> supports removal of the electric<br />
power l<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> McKittrick Canyon. The <strong>Sierra</strong> <strong>Club</strong> also recommends that the current<br />
McKittrick Canyon nature trail <strong>in</strong>terpretive signs be reviewed. The letter<strong>in</strong>g used is<br />
green and is hard to read <strong>in</strong> direct sunlight. Darker letter<strong>in</strong>g may make read<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
<strong>in</strong>terpretive signs easier.<br />
On Page 74, Management of Exotic Species, NPS does not state how Wilderness<br />
character will be protected when exotic species are killed. The public and decisionmakers<br />
need this <strong>in</strong>formation so they can review, comment on, and understand<br />
Alternative A.<br />
13