Paradise telemetry - NWAC Funding?

I think Phil's hypothesis (and Charles support) of the retribution angle is a bit too strong. The avalanche center is currently under budget by 40K/280K or 14%. Although the Park's contribution is just $9000, they have made a decision to cut their contribution to make budget. Similarly the avalanche center has made a budget decision to cut back on telemetry because it is expensive to operate and maintain. I read somewhere, that the cost of installing a new telemetry station is around $18,000, so it is reasonable to expect that repairs on electronics are expensive - and we all know that telemetry stations periodically go offline. I don't know what the annual budget is for maintaining the sites, but judging on how often I've tried reaching a forecaster and found they were out working on a site, I conservatively estimated that 10-20% of their budget is spent maintaining telemetry. I'll bet I've even underestimated that by 10% or so when I think about it, given all the early and late season work that is required.<br><br>What might be valuable would be for some of us to write editorials in newspapers to stress this issue. Until we get rid of bush, making up a federal shortfall by going to the state would seem to be the best option.

Gary, I agree that "retribution" is not the correct word to use here. The word I chose is "protest", and I do believe that may be a better term. If it is true that the NWAC still can get the data from those telemetry stations, then their forecasts should not suffer from the lack of that data. So that's why it looks like a protest to me, and one that is intended to spur us (users of the telemetry data) into action.<br><br>It seems like the first action, short term, for us to take is to try to pressure the Park into finding that measly $9K to contribute to the NWAC for this season. With this contribution to the NWAC restored, the NWAC ought to restore our access to the telemetry data.<br><br>One thing I'd like to get more info on is this plan for replacing the Paradise Visitor's center. Is this really a necessity (rather than simply a nicety) and how much is it costing? Should be some big bucks involved there.<br><br>If other people would like to inquire directly with a representative of the Park, it seems that Dave Ash, chief acting ranger, is the one to contact. The general Park number is 360-569-2211.

Charles, thank you for your work in obtaining some "official" information from the NPS on this topic.<br><br>I guess I am most surprised to learn (assuming I am not missing something) that the equipment is still in place, and the data is still streaming, but the NWAC/ NFS have elected to block access by the public to this data. In some ways I think I could accept the situation easier, or at least make sense of it, if I knew that budget concerns caused the equipment to be removed altogether.<br><br>While I whole-heartedly appreciate the work that Garth and the NWAC folks do with the limited resources that they have available (including posting on this site), I find it frustrating that the most creative way that they can find to bring attention to the issue is by hiding the available data from the myraid of users who benefit from data from Paradise.<br><br>I fear that this, and the recent (illegal and overturned on appeal) attempt to block backcountry ski access into MRNP via Crystal Mountain, illustrate the willingness of our LOCAL federal agencies to continue to play their intra-agency power games at the expense of the user. If not for the efforts of those of us who are the users, I fear we all stand to lose much.<br><br>Since the official NWAC site appears to remain silent on this topic (exepting the one sentence statement for the MRNP Paradise weather station), I personally would like to see the NWAC/NFS provide some official information regarding this situation, along with a roadmap to resolution detailing how we can help to ensure that this important data is not hidden from us during the coming season. <br><br>What a tragedy it would be to learn that one or more lives could have been saved this coming season at Paradise because individual access to this data one Saturday morning prior to the official 8:30 a.m. forecast was purposely hidden from users by our government agencies. Maybe an extreme example, but as one who spends most of my winter north of Rainier, I have more than once benefited greatly from the knowledge that conditions at Paradise were starkly different from those at Chinook or Crystal, signaling the potential for changing conditions. <br><br>I would also like to hear from the NWAC/ NFS why concepts such as the one suggested by Michael above are not being implemented? (or that they are)<br><br>I can't help but believe that leaders in the ski industry would trip over themselves to provide a tax-deductible contribution to have THEIR corporate name and/or logo and website address listed as Sponsor on the NWAC/NFS telemetry site for Paradise or any number of the other sites. <br><br>EXAMPLE: "This backcountry weather data brought to you for the 2005-06 season by... (Black Diamond, REI, K2, Friends of Turns-all-year.com, etc.). Please support our sponsors."<br><br>Thanks to all who have worked to bring this issue to our attention and I encourage all to consider how valuable this data is to you and consider sending a donation to the folks at the NWAC. Rumor has it that sending such a donation is up to 200% more effective than burning your old skis in ensuring a good snow year...<br><br>J.P.<br><br><br><br><br>

Charles:

Gary, I agree that "retribution" is not the correct word to use here. The word I chose is "protest", and I do believe that may be a better term. If it is true that the NWAC still can get the data from those telemetry stations, then their forecasts should not suffer from the lack of that data. So that's why it looks like a protest to me, and one that is intended to spur us (users of the telemetry data) into action.<br> <br>It seems like the first action, short term, for us to take is to try to pressure the Park into finding that measly $9K to contribute to the NWAC for this season. With this contribution to the NWAC restored, the NWAC ought to restore our access to the telemetry data.

<br><br>I think your latter point is the progressive one. Collectively, it is in the interests of the community to be able to access the Paradise information. We have an example of the importance of being to access timely information, be it forecasts or telemetry in the backcountry fatality near Crystal of a couple years ago. Following the best available information on a timely basis is one of the best ways to avoid potential accidents. The backcountry community should be strongly encouraged to contact both the Park Service and the Department of Transportation to try to restore some of the funding cuts to NWAC.

It's been awhile since I checked this site so I'm late to the discussion. Some comments on some of the side issues:<br><br>Corporate sponsorship of telemetry sites? &gt; Can't happen, won't happen. Federal law prohibits it. If it was allowed then you would also get other user groups with similar involvement e.g. the Yamaha snowmobile groomed trails. <br><br>Replacing the JVC isn't necessary, take $ from that project?&gt; You're about a decade late for that discussion. There have been multiple input points before the decision was made and an act of Congress that's funding it. Funds to replace it are earmarked for the project and aren't a slush fund to be diverted. JVC has been a money pit for the Park. It's expensive to heat and needs repairs often. It was not designed for the heavy snow loads it gets.<br><br>There's a fundraiser for Friends of NWAC:<br>Snow Bash 2005 <br>Friday, November 11, 8pm <br>The Tractor Tavern - 5213 Ballard Ave. NW <br>Live music, auction, swag, friends and much more. <br><br><br>Skipole

Off the main topic, but Dep of Interior is currentlt trying to find ways to allow for corporate finding of park service ammenities, such as buses and lodges. Gail Norton's effort to privatize the park system.