Of interest to anybody boating in or near a national park:

Last year, the Bush Administration appointed a Deputy Assistant
Interior Secretary (Paul Hoffman)
to compile a list of changes desired in the operation of our national
parks. When Hoffman finished his list, it called for increased
commercialization and privitization of national park resources, a
relaxation of restrictions against placing religious symbols and
messages on park property, and an easing of regulations banning or
restricting motor bikes, snowmobiles, and (of interest to this group)
motorized water craft from the majority of National Parks.

However.............

45,000 Americans "commented" on the proposed changes to National Park
management, and the reaction from congress was almost universally
negative.

As a result........

Yesterday the Bush Adminsitration cancelled the wish list of changes.
Interior Secretary Dick Kempthorne instead announced a new policy (or a
return to previous policy) that prioritizes preservation over any other
activity in national parks. Park managers are being specifically
instructed to promote clean air, clean water, and "natural sounds"
within park boundaries.

In my opinion, it's pretty much OK to have certain areas set aside for
preservation. A lot of folks would enjoy being able to trailer a boat
to some of the areas currently off limits to motorboats in national
parks, or ride dirt bikes and snow mobiles through the forests and it
is regrettable that they cannot.....still there are places for those
activities and not many places set aside to preserve that tiny
percentage of the country still in a wilderness state.