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Idaho-based outdoor photographer Ben Herndon has seen up close the impacts from overcrowding on Idaho's public lands in the last year, saying, "I’ve seen what everyone has seen, especially in the last year with COVID. People trying to get out more, which is the hard part because you want people to get out and enjoy these places. But there are definitely a lot of things people can do to not love things to death." As a photographer, he is particularly sensitive to the way social media sites like Instagram can draw enormous crowds to wild and scenic places.
According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 7.6 million people visited Idaho State Parks in 2020, breaking the previous record by 1.2 million visitors. After seeing a significant increase in trash left at campgrounds and campsites, the BLM is doubling down on its Leave No Trace public education efforts, instructing visitors to pack out what they pack in. The Idaho BLM is also expanding recreational opportunities through 80 miles of new trails and land acquisitions. Jennifer Jones, a spokesperson for the agency said, "Providing outdoor recreation is an important part of our mission. They are public lands, and they are funded by taxpayers’ dollars. Everyone knows being out there is good for your body and mind and soul."
Record breaking numbers of people have visited parks and public lands within the past year to escape the confines of pandemic-related restrictions, and this year is on track to continue that trend. Earlier this month, officials at Yellowstone National Park tracked 938,845 visits in June, making it the busiest June on record by a long shot—attendance was 64% higher than in June of 2020 and 20% higher than that same month in 2019. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks is holding a hearing today "to review the impacts of overcrowding in our national parks on park resources and visitor experiences and to consider strategic approaches to visitor use management."
Tracy Stone-Manning headed for confirmation vote
Yesterday the U.S. Senate approved a motion to discharge Tracy Stone-Manning's nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management by a party-line vote of 50-49. The passage of the motion clears the way for floor debate and a full senate vote on confirmation as early as this week. The senate took this unusual measure to discharge her nomination from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which last week deadlocked in a 10-10 vote.
Montana Senator Jon Tester defended Stone-Manning's qualifications, saying, "Tracy Stone-Manning is a tireless advocate for the outdoor spaces that make Montana special. She is a collaborative, responsible leader. And at the BLM, she will bring nonpartisan stewardship to our nation's greatest treasures." He went on to decry the politically-motivated attacks on her nomination from his colleagues, stating, "They have dragged a good person's name through the muck, in a cynical smear campaign ginned up by folks who would rather play politics than see a qualified, competent woman running the Bureau of Land Management...It is a shame that we have people who put politics above people and our public lands."
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It’s important to recognize there was a fire system in place that was culturally influenced. We have to question the narrative of history that has demonized fire, coming from a colonial perspective.”
