Natural Resource Challenge addresses natural resource protection needs
by Abigail Miller and Douglas K. Morris

Thrusts of the Natural Resource Challenge

Resources Careers implemented
by Kathy M. Davis

SUWA case has ramifications for NPS management policies
by Chick Fagan

NPS establishes environmental leadership program
by Shawn Norton and Dan Kimball

From local to regional: A new focus for air resources protection
by Bruce Polkowsky

Award-Winner Profile--Kathy Davis

Award-Winner Profile--Joe Dunstan

Home

"Island Explorer" bus transportation on-line at Acadia
Acadia National Park inaugurated a new regional transit system in June 1999 that links neighboring communities to destinations throughout the park. Eight buses, operating on six routes, allow visitors to leave their cars at their hotels and campgrounds and visit the park aboard clean-burning propane buses. Called the Island Explorer, the free transit system is expected to reduce traffic congestion, overflow parking along roadways, and vehicle emissions on the island, while increasing visitor enjoyment of the area. Elsewhere, in 1999, Zion National Park continued construction of its visitor transit facilities with plans to begin propane bus service in spring 2000. Also during the year, Yosemite became a partner in a demonstration bus system planned to start in May 2000; the Yosemite system will target both visitors and park employees to reduce traffic congestion and related problems. In early 2000, Grand Canyon selected business teams qualified to bid on the contract to develop the park's planned bus and light rail transit system.

Enhanced protection for Yellowstone bison and thermal features
The federal government announced plans in 1999 to increase the protection of Yellowstone's bison, geysers, and hot springs when it agreed to acquire title to and conservation easements on, 9,300 acres of the Royal Teton Ranch north of Yellowstone National Park. In addition, the government will acquire geothermal water rights to the entire 12,000-acre ranch. The land will be managed by the Gallatin National Forest and will provide important winter range for bison. Bison often leave the park in winter when food is difficult to reach and face unnecessary killing by the State of Montana to prevent any possibility of the spread of brucellosis from bison to domestic cattle even though there has never been any documented cases of such transmissions in the wild. The move will also prevent development of geothermal resources on the ranch that could have a deleterious effect on park thermal features. The government agreed to pay $13 million for the deal, which was still being prepared at year's end.

Cleaner air for Grand Canyon and the West
In 1999 the Navajo Generating Station, in Page, Arizona, completed construction of three scrubbing units based on a negotiated agreement witnessed by President Bush at Grand Canyon National Park in 1991. These scrubbers will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by approximately 55,000 tons per year. Also in 1999, agreement was reached to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions from the Mohave Generating Station, in Laughlin, Nevada, by approximately 40,000 tons per year by 2007. Both of these actions, while specifically aimed at improving visibility at Grand Canyon, lay the foundation for future plans to address regional haze in the West.

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