[Geysers] Mountian Bikes in Yellowstone : Commercially guided day trips

[Davis, Brian L.]

> If it's just the fact that the such groups increase the number of
> individuals visiting the area in question, what's wrong with a greater
> degree of citizen participation?

Actually, nothing... except that with increased visitation, there is usually increased impact. In truth, 20 people in a "guided" trip probably have a lower total impact than 20 "unguided" individuals... but commercial guiding tends to allow (actually, encourage via advertising and the like) far larger number of people into delicate areas. Having personally witnessed this with caving (possibly one of the few environments even more delicate than thermal areas), I can attest that this is a very significant issue. It can certainly be taken into account... but the fact that a commercial operation does better is it puts more people through the process can result in a "tragedy of the commons" situation.

-- 
Brian Davis