Thanks for linking the article. That's some good press!
I haven't heard too much about this, but now that the FAA has been mandated=
to convert the air traffic controls old ground based navigational system t=
o a modern GPS navigational system will there be real opportunities to rout=
e jets away from national parks? My understanding is that GPS will give ai=
r traffic controllers more flexibility and tighter controls. It seems like=
now is the time for us all to make some "noise" for quiet.
On a second note, I visited OSI last August. While I totally support Mr. H=
empton's quest for establishing natural quiet, I think there's unintended c=
onsequences regarding OSI that the article alluded to. When I reached the =
location there was not just one stone marking the special square-inch but m=
any stones unnaturally relocated by other visitors and scattered across the=
log and the forest floor. Even worse, people had written notes on paper a=
nd tucked them under these stones. Technically, this is littering within a=
national park. Afterwards, I spoke with a very thoughtful ranger at the t=
rail head. His sentiments paralleled mine, OSI is a wonderful ideal, but t=
here might be better ways to get the point across. Excessive travel to an =
off-trail location, rearranging the natural elements and littering is not a=
good way to solicit support from park personnel. OSI is certainly a catch=
y phrase and a high ideal, but I would have traveled to the Hoh River valle=
y regardless. I would argue that since it's a rather small minority of us =
who would like to see the nation's air traffic rerouted and likely inconven=
ienced for the sake of natural quiet, it would serve us well to consider th=
e consequences of our actions and to explore alternative courses.
Fred Bell
--- In "hartogj" <> wrote=
:
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> http://www.seattleweekly.com/2012-04-25/news/gordon-hempton-wants-you-to-=
shut-up/
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> -------------------
> John Hartog
> rockscallop.org
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