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… and audiovisual systems to maximize the visitor educational experience … Computer-based audiovisual media would provide enhanced opportunities for those who do not actually explore the park … Video technology would simulate trips in park’s wilderness areas for those unable to access it directly … Interactive media … and other technology would be enhanced to more effectively interpret park resources and values”. The Sierra Club understands that NPS is not thinking of installing cameras in Wilderness for visitor enjoyment. This would be illegal because cameras and associated equipment are installations or structures and are not necessary for the management of Wilderness and will negatively affect Wilderness character. NPS should explain what “video technology” is and ensure it does not include putting installations and structures in Wilderness. The public and decision-makers need this information so they can review, comment on, and understand the Preferred Alternative. On page 91, Interpretive and Educational Outreach Programs and Media, the Sierra Club supports expansion of outreach to local communities and educational groups, including El Paso and Juarez. On page 92, Circulation and Parking, the Sierra Club does not believe that the ranch road trace from the Salt Basin Dunes parking area several miles north and east to PX Well needs to be improved. How large will the gravel surfaced parking lot be at the PX Well trailhead The public and decision-makers need this information so they can review, comment on, and understand the Preferred Alternative. On page 92, Hiking Trails Trailheads, and Horse Use, NPS states “the NPS may add to the park’s trail inventory by mapping hiking trails along abandoned trails and road traces on the park’s west side”. How many trails is NPS referring to How long are these trails What would be their environmental impacts Where are they located specifically The public and decision-makers need this information so they can review, comment on, and understand the Preferred Alternative. On pages 92-93, Park Operations, are sanitation facilities really needed in Wilderness If so where and why The Sierra Club does not support a commercial service plan and does not support commercial horse operations at Frijole Ranch and Dog Canyon and commercial campground operation at Pine Springs or Frijole Ranch. The Sierra Club visited Dog Canyon and appreciated its remote and isolated location and the minimal facilities available. We also found the NPS ranger on duty very helpful and friendly. Already horses are causing unacceptable damage to geological resources (fossils), user conflicts, eroded trails, and exotic plant species introductions. More horse use will only exacerbate these problems. The public and decision-makers need this information so they can review, comment on, and understand the Preferred Alternative. On page 93, Boundary Adjustment, the Sierra Club supports the boundary adjustment as well as additional acquisitions for GMNP. 18
On page 93, Costs, the Sierra Club does not support reducing the number of employees at GMNP from 40 in 2006 to 34. NPS has fallen in line with the Bush Administration’s siren call of a smaller federal work force when GMNP needs more people to protect the public’s natural resources. The Sierra Club does not believe that temporary and seasonal staff can pick up the slack in place of permanent full-time employees. We understand, for instance, that there are, many cultural and archeological resource sites throughout GMNP that have not be surveyed in many years. This and other needed natural resource protection and interpretation work must be funded and must have the personnel to carry out these actions. By not doing so NPS runs GMNP in a penny-wise and pound-foolish way. What is the “landscape rehabilitation work” that is referred to here The public and decision-makers need this information so they can review, comment on, and understand the Preferred Alternative. 43) Pages 94-103, Alternative B, the Sierra Club supports Alternative B with the following changes: 1) Wilderness eligibility and designation for 38,134 acres instead of the proposed 35,487 acres. 2) Reduction in, but not elimination of, horse use (day use only) on trails in GMNP by some percentage (perhaps 20-50%) to reduce environmental impacts on geological, biological, and ecological resources and conflicts with hikers. If horseback riding is a relatively small amount of use certainly there is not the need for 60% of the trails to be designated for horse use. No removal of public corrals and no horse concession. 3) Proposed boundary adjustment and acquisition of additional lands (by fee title acquisition or conservation easement) in Patterson Hills, Salt Basin and Flats, Guadalupe Pass area, McKittrick Canyon area, Delaware Mountains, Guadalupe Escarpment, and other sensitive areas to protect the GMNP view-shed; acquire important geological and ecological areas; and to buffer GMNP from present and future development pressures and to allow plants and animals to adjust to changes caused by climate change. 4) Employment of at least 40 people and reject the downgrading of employee numbers to a core of 34. 5) Aggressive push by NPS to get state and federal officials to address the deterioration of scenic views due to regional haze air pollution sooner than the mandated 2064 deadline. Air Quality as an “impact topic” should not be dismissed from further consideration in all alternatives of the draft GMP/EIS and should be fully analyzed, assessed, and evaluated for all alternatives. 19
Page 1 and 2: Lone Star Chapter June 13, 2008 Mr.
Page 3 and 4: used with a non-motorized and mecha
Page 5 and 6: GMP/EIS as an issue topic. The NPS
Page 7 and 8: 10) Page 19, Ensure Organizational
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Page 13 and 14: people since this is a loss and dow
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Page 21 and 22: On pages 99-100, Management of Rese
Page 23 and 24: On page 113, Visitor Experience, NP
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Page 27 and 28: 67) Page 213, Introduction, pages 2
Page 29 and 30: Section 1502.22, requires that when
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Page 37 and 38: 70) Page 214, Mining and Drilling,
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Page 43 and 44: 115) Page 248, Wildlife, NPS states
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Page 51 and 52: 4. Employment of at least 40 people
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