[Geysers] 1) The "For the benefit" phrase and 2) ecological processmanagement in YNP

[Paul Strasser]

Lee:

The key is that simply because a tree begins to grow in a developed area
doesn't mean it's thoroughly natural.  Vista Enhancement was common along
the drive from West Thumb to Lake in the past because the pullout views were
overgrown.  A tree growing in the strips in the parking lot of the Inn are
not the same as tree growing in the back country, at least according to
everything I've read about developed areas vs. back country.

The slopes where the bushes and trees are growing at Great Fountain are
themselves not natural.  They are the sides of the slope buildup for the
parking lot.  The point is that the slope itself (as is the parking lot at
Old Faithful) is in itself "human intervention." 

To even slightly infer that people who think the trees in parking lots (or
that mar prior views) should be cut back are the moral equivalent of those
who want to tap the geysers is demeaning and insulting.  

Of far greater interest to us might be your comments on exactly how the
concept of vista enhancement is used in Yellowstone - who decides what
vistas require enhancements, and why.

By the way, the NPS was certainly not too worried about trees when they
clear cut most of the Bridge Bay campground in 1984.

Paul Strasser

-----Original Message-----
From: geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu
[mailto:geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu] On Behalf Of
Lee_Whittlesey at nps.gov
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 8:43 AM
To: Geyser Observation Reports
Cc: Geyser Observation Reports; geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu
Subject: [Geysers] 1) The "For the benefit" phrase and 2) ecological
processmanagement in YNP

It is important to understand that the term "for the benefit and enjoyment
of the people"---which appears in the park's Organic Act of 1872---can mean
any darn thing that any debater wants it to mean.

The phrase has been used to argue that snowmobiles should have free run all
over the park and even in the backcountry. And it has also been used to
argue that snowmobiles should be totally banned from the park. It has been
used to argue that we should kill animals in the park because "there are
too many of them" or because "they are overgrazing the land." It has been
used to argue that we should build swimming pools, golf courses, and ski
areas in the park. It has been used to argue that we should ban automobiles
from the park. It has been used to argue that we should tap the geysers and
hot springs for power generation. Since Congress wrote the phrase in 1872,
it has been used by debaters on every possible side of every issue to argue
their position, including usage by those who would abolish the park
entirely.

The point is----for anything that one person uses the phrase to argue for,
someone else can use it for the exact opposite purpose. Therefore, although
the phrase represents nice poetry, it is essentially meaningless, because
it can be used by proponents of any side of any issue  to argue for
ANYTHING. They can always say, "I am one of the people and this should be
done for my benefit."

With regard to "vista clearing" or "vista enhancement," it is important to
realize that the NPS subscribes to the management philosophy formerly known
as "natural regulation," which today is called "ecological process
management." That means human intervention in natural processes---including
vista enhancement---is kept to a minimum. "Enhancement" is, after all, in
the eye of the (human) beholder, and we as humans don't always agree with
each other as to what "should" be done in each of these cases. Therefore
the NPS tends to err on the side of nature, letting nature make the
decisions rather than humans.

Both of these subjects are philosophically deep ones, and there is a lot to
them. If anyone wants to discuss them further, I am always available.

Lee Whittlesey
Park Historian
(307) 344-2261



                                                                           
             David Prast                                                   
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I do like the term "vista enhancement." The Inn is not the only place that
could use some "vista enhancement" in the park system, Mt. Rushmore could
too. We were rather surprised that the park service was not going to cut
the conifer trees growing in front of President Lincoln's beard!

Maybe the park service should read the inscription above the Roosevelt Arch
at the north entrance "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and use
that as their guide when it comes to tree management.

If ears seem to be deaf to pleas for improving the Inn's vistas, perhaps
some of the Mission 66 thinking is to blame?

Kyle Prast, wife of Gazer David


On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 7:25 AM, David Prast <davidjprast at gmail.com> wrote:
  Wouldn't it be wonderful to actually be able to view the geysers from the
  porch on the second floor of the inn?  And how about being able to
  actually take in the view from the roadside pull outs.  Too much to ask?

  Gazer David