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NPS-Friend or Foe?
self ^ | June 3, 2003 | Sheila Davis

Posted on 06/03/2003 10:59:40 AM PDT by countrydummy

National Park Service ...Friend or Foe?

What an interesting question! We have all been reared to believe that the NPS was so good for the preservation and conservation of lands for the protection of future generations. Well, many have screamed out against the NPS since around the early 70’s, but their voices fell on deaf ears or those ears that did not have the time or inclination to listen. And of course the lack of media coverage to bring the pro’s and con’s to the awareness level of the public commons....those of us that live on the land and really care about it! The media has done a very poor job in bringing up all the issues of having a national park vs. not having one!

There are many unhappy “once upon a time” landowners, but to make matters even worse, their are many unhappy “public land users“, that are fast realizing that the NPS is not their friends either! These folks thought that the original landowners were being paid “fair-market value”, some even think they were paid millions and got rich off of their lands to the NPS.....WRONG! Those that advocated land acquisition of the private land owners for increased public access that the NPS swore they would provide, are fast finding out that the NPS is now in the business of doing all they can to decrease any sign of human disturbance within the boundaries of the lands “””they own””! Dang, and here I kept thinking that “public lands” are owned by me, you and them!!!! WRONG!!!!!!!! The “DO NOT ENTER” signs are everywhere, or NO motorized vehicles, NO motorized boats, etc. and so on! Heck, even No horses!!!!!!!

Now take the Pilgrim family into the case scenario! They live in a small community in Alaska, just outside the boundaries of a small community that was established over a hundred years ago.....this is a family that chooses to live on “their own” as it were, without aide and assistance but just hard working and down to earth living! They rely on each other and the small community of which they are a part of. Yet now they are in the fine hairs of the wondrous NPS! Even though they are living in an area that President Carter declared a National Monument, Alaska took the most important intuitive of securing State’s Rights over Big Government by passing “The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) which provides the following:

“ guaranteed Alaskans the right to hunt, fish, recreate and even operate mines in the park. Although the ability to create new roads or trails in the park was eliminated or severely curtailed, the right to use valid existing routes was pledged. RS2477 routes were specifically singled out for protection.”

Now the NPS is threatening this family and for that matter the local community for doing under law what they are allowed to do! The NPS is at this time attacking a very religious, caring and loving family with the threats of armed Rangers, helicopters and the such, trying to intimidate this family and scare them into selling their property! So much for the so called “Willing-Seller Concept”!!!!!!

We along the New River, just outside of the city limits of Hinton, WV have and continue to be treated the same way.....armed guards at the so called public meetings, and diverse to out and out lies from the NPS and their supportive agencies!

Yet, I do not fear for my life , but these folks have been threatened! For example from an email I received from a local of the area!

“They will be accompanied by a NPS 'Special Events Team' of 6-8 armed Rangers, plus local Rangers. This is ridiculous. NPS has painted the family as being dangerous and is escalating this thing into something bizarre.”

What is this family (and community guilty of???????) Protecting themselves, their land, their heritages, their way of life and what they choose to leave their children and their children’s children! As well the right to manage their roadways that allow access to their homes!

I think it is time, especially considering that the National Park Service alone,( and this is just the NPS...not counting the other federal land agencies) has put all American taxpayers into debt for over $6 Billion for maintenance fees! In other words the NPS can’t and won’t effectively take care of what “”THEY”” own! They are using illegal tactics such as, as in direct violation of, USCS 42, 1982 and 1983 where the threat of “Color of Law, Intimidation of Law, etc, violates the very civil rights of landowner ship!

So, is the NPS a friend or a foe? You decide!

Sheila Davis Sisters of the River PO Box 202 Jumping Branch, WV 25969 (304) 466-3676 country357@stargate.net http://www.newriverfriends.org

ccs:"mailto:gale_norton@ios.doi.gov" Phone: 1-202-208-7351 Fax: 1-202-208-6956

Craig Manson craig_manson@ios.doi.gov

Nick Joe Rahall E-mail Address(es): nrahall@mail.house.gov

Congressman Sam Graves-Missouri "mailto:sam.graves@mail.house.gov". Governor Murkowski Fax: (907) 465-3532

Congressman Richard Pombo "mailto:rpombo@mail.house.gov"

President George W. Bush: "mailto:president@whitehouse.gov"

For further information and background please see the following sites:

Rick Kenyon Wrangell St. Elias News (WSEN) McCarthy, Alaska Phone: 907-554-4454 (4 hours behind EST; 1 hour behind California time) Fax: 907-554-4494 Website: "http://mccarthy-kennicott.com" Email: "mailto:WSEN@starband.net"

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/

http://www.landrights.org/


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: domesticterrorism; government; landgrabs; nps
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Folks, this is happening in every state in the US! Done alittle at a time so as not to bring to much attention to any given situation!
1 posted on 06/03/2003 10:59:41 AM PDT by countrydummy
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To: countrydummy; sauropod; farmfriend; Carry_Okie; Kay Ludlow; SierraWasp; AAABEST; TonyWojo
Important facts for this article.






Pilgrim Family Fact Sheet



Good morning, all!

Here's what Rick Kenyon and others have contributed.

Please use in your sharing of this story and your efforts to help the Pilgrim
Family in McCarthy, Alaska, regain use of their road without interference or
fear of arrest by National Park Service armed rangers.

Thank you all for your help in this, and please, listen to today's Derry
Brownfield Show: http://www.DerryBrownfield.com. Derry's show reaches 26
states by radio, and worldwide by Internet.

Julie Kay Smithson, just another that believes in property rights, also
known as freedom





Pilgrim Family Fact Sheet - Dateline: McCarthy, Alaska

National Park Service officials at the Wrangell St. Elias National Park in Alaska have targeted a family of 17 that owns 400 acres in the middle of the park. Such private landowners within federal boundaries are called 'inholders.' The family has been harassed for the past year by park rangers.

The family's legal name is Hale, and the property is registered in that name. However they prefer to be called the Pilgrims.

These folks are pacifists, very akin to the Mennonite faith. They are a law-abiding, God-fearing family of 17 that dresses and talks differently -- outspoken in their faith in God and opposition to evil -- but are loving, caring people who have been a real blessing to their neighbors.

In April 2003, the NPS posted notices that the family could not use the McCarthy-Green Butte trail, a well-documented RS2477 route that is listed with DNR as RS135. The McCarthy-Green Butte route RS135 follows the creek, crossing some 17 times. Until about 1970 the bridges were maintained, but have all washed out now. It is a rugged, somewhat dangerous route. The closure was clearly illegal. The NPS has no authority over this road, which is the only road for the Pilgrims to access their home and the town of McCarthy. NPS says that the Pilgrims created a new road through the park. This is false. NPS says that the Pilgrims upgraded an existing road without obtaining a permit. This is also false. All the family has done is to use an existing road and do minimal maintenance work on that road, which is clearly within the provisions of RS2477.

The NPS is 'pulling out all of the stops' in their effort to destroy the Pilgrim family. I talked with NPS Assistant Superintendent Hunter Sharp yesterday and he told me the following:

1. On or about June 14, a 3-person BLM survey crew will arrive at the Marvelous Millsite property and the Spokane Placer for the purpose of establishing the boundaries. (That's fine, we want the NPS to know where their property is. The family has agreed to this, but has asked that the impact to their children and livestock be minimized by using local air taxi aircraft rather than helicopters.)

2. The surveyors will be accompanied by a NPS 'Special Events Team' of 6-8 armed Rangers, plus local Rangers. This is ridiculous. NPS has painted the family as being dangerous, which escalates NPS actions to the bizarre.

3. At the same time, a team of "experts" will start up the McCarthy Creek Trail (McCarthy-Green Butte RS135) for the purpose of documenting any "damage" that may have been done to the park lands. (NPS does not recognize this as a legal state right-of-way, despite mountains of evidence that it is.) This team will consist of a Biologist, a Fisheries person, 2 Botanists, an Archeologist and a Geologist. They will be accompanied by 3 more armed Rangers.

4. Helicopters will be used to transport this army of NPS shooters and surveyors up the creek, although the Pilgrims have specifically offered use of their airstrip by light plane to avoid the noise and confusion of helicopter landings and overflights near the livestock. NPS specifically announced that "We will take all reasonable precautions to minimize any disruption" during the survey.

The trail in question has been listed in state statute as a legal, valid state right-of-way.

NPS apparently plans to charge the family with any "damage" they find along this route, although others have maintained the road in recent years and have not been cited or even warned by NPS.

This is clearly a case where a family has been targeted for punitive action. It apparently is also designed to frighten the other residents into submission. The slander/smear campaign by the park people has been disgusting.

At the same time, the NPS informational office in Chitina, Alaska, and the Kiosk at the end of the McCarthy Road, have been closed due to "budget cuts." Apparently the park management is funneling all of its resources into this campaign to destroy a family and acquire control of their property. (400 acres in the middle of the park.)

For updates on this unfolding situation:

Maps:

A map of Alaska showing the general location of McCarthy:

Detailed topographical map of the local area:

Another website with several maps of the area:

Contact:

Rick Kenyon
Wrangell St. Elias News (WSEN)
McCarthy, Alaska
Phone: 907-554-4454 (4 hours behind EST; 1 hour behind California time)
Fax: 907-554-4494
Website: http://mccarthy-kennicott.com
Email: WSEN@starband.net



For More Information Contact:
American Land Rights Association
Tel: 360-687-3087
FAX: 360-687-2973


Send mail to alra@pacifier.com with questions or comments about this web site.
All pages on this website are ©1999-2001, American Land Rights Association. Permission is granted to use any and all information herein, as long as credit is given to ALRA.
2 posted on 06/03/2003 11:04:34 AM PDT by countrydummy
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To: countrydummy
A friend of my wifes works for NPS. They are starting to feel pressure from cutbacks and private contracts. She was very upset her job was in jeopardy. When I pointed out that was just life for the rest of us, and that NPS was taking private property from people. Her reply was that they were just mostly old people. It's remarkable how the power of government, and one's wish to retain its' benefits, can turn an otherwise good person into a monster.
3 posted on 06/03/2003 11:14:41 AM PDT by CyberSpartacus
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To: countrydummy
I hadn't known about these extreme cases, but I do have a generally sour feeling toward the NPS, based on the way they act in the Everglades National Park. The rangers there stop you and check you out fairly often. Though they can be nice, I more often get the impression that they think of the public the same way the Sheriff of Nottingham thought of peasants trespassing or poaching in the King's Forest.

Most folks around here seem to think Park rangers are the least polite of all local law enforcement types, even the Marine Patrol guys admit that the rangers have a "reputation."

I used to attribute this to rangers having inadequate law enforcement training, but now wonder if it isn't more likely that the entire NPS hasn't just become part of the liberal, politically correct establishment that so threatens America today.

In the past I had been an admirer of the NPS, but these days am thinking perhaps to change my views.
4 posted on 06/03/2003 11:17:21 AM PDT by Sam Cree (Democrats are herd animals)
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To: Sam Cree
The NPS is becoming a goon squad.

Where in FL do you live? I'm in the Naples area and spend some time in the Glades myself when I get the chance.

5 posted on 06/03/2003 11:22:03 AM PDT by AAABEST
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To: AAABEST
Miami.

I used to fish Flamingo quite a bit, not so much anymore, though I continue to think of the Park as a treasure.

But when it starts feeling like the Parks are mainly "for" the bureaucrats, and the public only tolerated, and under close supervision at that, then I start to wonder. Maybe it would have been better if Burdine and his friends had developed Cape Sable after all, at least everyone would have been welcome.

But that's the PC mindset, they don't want you to do much of anything without a government official holding your hand or keeping an eye on you.

Naples is beautiful, by the way.
6 posted on 06/03/2003 11:28:57 AM PDT by Sam Cree (Democrats are herd animals)
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To: CyberSpartacus
"mostly from old people"

How pathetic and disgraceful a comment! How does one become so heartless?
7 posted on 06/03/2003 11:41:24 AM PDT by countrydummy
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To: Sam Cree
I know how you feel! Yet for the last 3 years, I can tell you that no one has a friend in the NPS! They have become nothing more than a environmental gestopo!
8 posted on 06/03/2003 11:44:51 AM PDT by countrydummy
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To: attagirl; nunya bidness; Movemout; Eva; AuntB; dixiechick
ping
9 posted on 06/03/2003 11:46:51 AM PDT by countrydummy
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To: CyberSpartacus
the power of government can turn an otherwise good person into a monster.

So true in many ways. Having a government job means having a vested interest in voting for Democrats. It has the power to turn a Freeper into a Democrat.

10 posted on 06/03/2003 12:04:15 PM PDT by Reeses
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To: Reeses
That is so scary!!!!!!!!
11 posted on 06/03/2003 12:35:35 PM PDT by countrydummy
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To: newriverSister; PARKFAN
ping
12 posted on 06/03/2003 12:39:12 PM PDT by countrydummy
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To: Jeff Head; Rocky; DLfromthedesert
ping!
13 posted on 06/03/2003 1:07:47 PM PDT by countrydummy
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To: CyberSpartacus
Her reply was that they were just mostly old people

Hmmm......

14 posted on 06/03/2003 1:24:41 PM PDT by carenot
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To: stopsign; exodus
Looky here!
15 posted on 06/03/2003 1:30:54 PM PDT by carenot
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To: carenot
thanks for the pings! I have worked on this all weekend, I can't stand how out of control these federal agencies are!
16 posted on 06/03/2003 2:08:17 PM PDT by countrydummy
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To: risk; madfly; farmfriend
ping!
17 posted on 06/03/2003 2:09:10 PM PDT by countrydummy
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To: countrydummy
As I see it, NPS is barely 1 step above NPR.
18 posted on 06/03/2003 2:54:33 PM PDT by theDentist (So. This is Virginia.... where are all the virgins?)
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To: theDentist
now that is an interesting statement! How so?
19 posted on 06/03/2003 3:11:45 PM PDT by countrydummy
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To: countrydummy
Foe, and thanks for asking.
20 posted on 06/03/2003 3:11:52 PM PDT by coloradan
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