Paradise telemetry - NWAC Funding?

We decided to remove the Paradise and Sunrise stations from our normal Internet display since Mt Rainier National Park informed us they are not planning to contribute to the NWAC in fiscal year 2006 (which began 1 October). Similar for Crater Lake National Park.<br><br>Now we have decided we need to come up with an official response and run it by the Forest Service public affairs folks. We should be able to make this response available by the end of the week. Sorry I need to keep my own response sort of official at this point.<br><br>By the way the Chinook Pass weather stations are slightly outside the border of the park.

By the way again the NWAC has about a $40k shortfall going into fiscal 2006 out of a total projected budget of about $270k.

I'll be giving some money...<br><br>But it kind of sounds like this action is retribution for not getting money from the parks. Does that really serve the best interests of backcountry users?<br>Or maybe I'm mis-understanding?

NWAC mountain weather station equipment requires periodic repairs, replacement and maintenance. Unfortunately if we are not paid to make visits for these purposes, we cannot be sure of proper operation of the equipment and resulting data quality. I'm sorry but I now need to now refrain from further comment and let the Forest Service response provide further information.

Garth,<br><br>It seems like you guys must spend about 10-20% of your annual budget on maintenance and upkeep of the telemetry sites. Is that about right?

I wonder if a 'Sponsor-a-telemetry-site' idea would fly. I would be so interested in helping out with that.<br><br>Of course, I would rather have some of my taxes pay for it... but in the end - if the forest service doesnt route doesnt work out - I think the community will have to figure out how to make it work.<br><br>I would hate to see these important resources go kaput as many an early morning tour planning decision has been informed by these sites.<br><br>Michael