[pct-l] The CIA has become interested

[goforth at cio.net (Joanne Lennox)]

There are some intimations in the deepest circles of federal bureaurocracy
that the recent bear problems in National Parks are really an offshoot of
an growing problem of trail maintenence, which itself is driven not only by
funding shortfalls but by the sentiments of a  growing segment of the
population that advocate "he who manages least, manages best"( a correlary
is to manage as few people in the backcountry as possible with trailhead
quotas and to restrict all off trail use to wildlife only). The CIA has
become interested. 

As has so recently been pointed out " one thing that has never ceased to
leave me totally gobsmacked is the sheer power of unregulated boots to not
only create and establish,
but thoroughly maintain some really kewl trails." 

The author in his quaint and vivid way points out that boots establish and
maintain trails.  What he fails to note is that the paws, hooves, teeth,
beaks, and claws that chew, tear, stomp, break, and mangle are the original
designers of many trails and that their maintence often lasts the entire
year.

Along about the 30's and well before there was much solid record keeping,
the federal government  sent out feelers to various concerned hooved and
pawed citizens as to the feasibility of a continued presence of these
citizens on newly created CCC trails, just to keep maintenence expensives
to a minimum and to even it out over the year. That a treaty was never
signed attests to the gulliblity, trust, and lack of a union amongst this
group, but there was an informal consent, albeit vague, that they would
have a continued presence on the trail as long as they were kept "happy".

A situation was worked out so that the trail was engineered through steep
terrain, and areas immicable to camping, only to arrive at the perfect flat
and only campsite.  These campsites were designated and Park service began
to require all hikers on the trail system to camp at  designated sites. 
This system worked well for many years, some food and a few hikers went
missing, but the bears were "happy" and the trails were clear. 
Occaisionally, clandestine food drops were delivered in the back of cars in
Yosemite parking lots, and the bears grew to expect these of the Park
Service.

The federal bureaucracy being what it is , when the old guard retired, the
newer generation was unaware of old allegences.   In addition, this new
generation failed to appreciate the contribution and strength of these
constant, solid walkers of the trail.  The" manage least, manage best"
philosophy emerged , as well as a conviction that the animals were "wild"
and any "exchange" sullied their image, trailhead quotas were instituted,
counterbalance hanging of food, and then bear cannister laws were enforced.
 Worse of all, food drops were completely cut off.  The bear population in
particular were alarmed, but even the mice felt betrayed who, though being
small, had worked so long and hard to trim  pieces of greenery encroaching
the trail .

The problem was aggravated by thruhikers streaking the trail toward their
next resupply and carrying almost nothing.

The bears became destructive and the outcome was all too predictable.  A
problem was created; the delicate balnce that had existed before was gone. 
The Park service started moving or killed key players in fear that a union
movement would gain momentum.  There may just be starting an outlaw "toll
road mentality" amonst the hooved and pawed members, and it is too early to
see how the story will play out.

But the CIA noted recently that the whole scenario arose as Indian Gaming
and Casinos were on the upswing ,and presence of this player in the game
had exited the woods.

kgofroth kgettin it :)