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| OUR NATION'S PARKS A Forum with Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt May 23, 1997 |
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Questions Sec. Babbitt answered in this forum:
Should cars be banned from national parks? How should forest fires be handled? Why are visits to the Grand Teton or the Grand Canyon so expensive? Does the federal government give mining companies sweetheart deals? Could special tax incentives provide money for the parks? Does the federal government promote clearcutting forests? What was Sec. Babbitt's best experience being part of a National Park Service firefighter? Viewer Comments
NewsHour Backgrounders
March 9, 1997:
Interesting coalitions have developed around the fight for rights to the water flowing down the Animus and the La Plata rivers in Colorado.
March 3, 1997:
Spencer Michels reports on efforts to rebuilt Yosemite National Parks after this year's devastating floods.
April 30, 1996:
Tom Bearden reports on efforts to restore the Colorado River's eco-system by flooding it.
Browse the NewsHour's index of environmental issues.
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Frank Ferrano of White Plains, NY, asks: Why are visits to the Grand Teton and the Grand Canyon so expensive? Could there be a voucher program for low income families?
Secretary Babbitt responds:
I'll tell you what, Frank -- I don't think they are expensive. You can take a carload of people to Grand Teton or the Grand Canyon for less than it coats for a family of four to go to the movies on a Saturday night. Having said that, we're looking at every possible way to help get money into the park system so admission prices can be kept low. In an ideal world, the parks would be free -- but in the current budget environment that's hard to accomplish.
Nevertheless, your idea interests me. We have some programs, like annual passes to all the parks, that can save people a lot of money, but people who can't afford $20 can't afford $50, either. At any rate, you've set me to thinking it out now... and whenever I start thinking, Congress gets really nervous. If the plan gets off the ground, I heartily encourage you to let people know that it was your idea. In times like this, we'll need lots of supporters.
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