8-24-08 "Police State Wilderness"?

Thought some folks might be interested in this comment by a well-known northwest skier on a Park landscape architect's blog:

www.designingtheparks.com/index.php?opti...id=42#jc_commentsDiv

"retired seasonal National Park and Forest ranger/naturalist and heli-ski guide     written by Eric Burr, August 24, 2008

John's North Cascades VC in Newhallem is an example of the kind of siting we need more of, to reduce impact on the Park itself. The abandoned Forest Service Early Winters Ranger Station at the Park's east side entry is an example of what could be additional enhancement of the Park experience if only Forest service bureaucrats and Congress could be persuaded to cooperate. Both are outside of, but adjacent to the Park and Wilderness Complex currently managed be both agencies. The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA), also adjacent to this complex, is an example of visitor impact management by trail design, as opposed to "police state wilderness" eloquently predicted by Dr. Behan in the Feb. 1974 Journal of Forestry. My book, Ski Trails and Wildlife: toward snow country restoration, makes these and many more suggestions for design solutions to wildife management problems. Principle among them is the trailhead ranger residence to once again get rangers in a position to actually range out in the Parks."

The abandoned Forest Service Early Winters Ranger Station at the Park's east side entry is an example of what could be additional enhancement of the Park experience if only Forest service bureaucrats and Congress could be persuaded to cooperate.

A small correction, we have been working with the rangers at Early Winters for years. It is my understanding that the forest service in fact is making an effort to expand and upgrade the Early Winters facilities. Funding is a huge issue with our locale ranger districts and my impression is that they are underfunded. Not sure where all the monies go but my guess a closer look at congress would be a good place to start

I've requested the original '74 article thru Interlibrary Loan to find out exactly what was meant by that provocative/prophetic phrase.

It's good to hear land management agencies are trying to work together up there. Here on the Nisqually, there's a some money, but little communication it seems.