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NEWS & OPINION
ACCESS -- In the Bush Administration, access takes on a new meaning!!
Posted: 9/9/2004
Not often do I get really excited about another meeting - but then again, not often do I get an invitation to meet with the Secretary of the Department of Interior, Gale Norton.  That was the phone call received, and of course my answer was "yes -- anywhere at anytime".
How often does that happen? Well, with this administration, much more often than in the recent past. It makes you go back a few years and remember how out of touch and out of reach the decision-makers were. Times have changed for the better when it comes to recreation!
 I had the opportunity to spend some real quality time with Secretary Norton, in a Monoco Recreational Vehicle in Oregon. I was thoroughly impressed with her, from her knowledge to her style, from her interest to her genuine sincerity.
In one word, the difference with the Bush administration is ACCESS. Access to the administration, access to the agencies, access to our public lands.
When I expressed our appreciation for the Bush administration's desire to solve problems by managing recreation rather than banning recreation, her response was, "We think the greatest environmental calling is trying to find ways to accommodate the environment's protection while serving human activities at the same time." Secretary Norton went on to say, "It is harder to balance -- but that's where the reward is. We want to accommodate rather than fence people out, because the reality is National Parks were created for enjoyment, both now and in the future."
When talking with Secretary Norton it was obvious how this administration thinks, and how aligned the Departments are with the administration, from the top down. As we've heard numerous times, the Bush administration thinks decisions for public lands should be made at the local level. Decisions on the public lands impact those residents in and around the area - not the people in and around Washington, DC.
When asked about the Yellowstone National Park Temporary Winter Use Plans and Environmental Assessment, Ms. Norton replied, "We truly believe there is a place for snowmobiles in Yellowstone, and with the requirement of guides and best available technology along with caps on the number of snowmobiles allowed on a daily basis, we feel there is proper balance." In our discussion on the requirement of commercial guides, Ms. Norton emphasized the decrease in accidents and violations when commercial guides were required during the winter of 2003/2004.
Ms. Norton praised the advancement of technology in the new snowmobiles, especially in the 4-stroke snowmobiles. She said, "The new technology is impressive".
After discussing Snowmobiling in Yellowstone, I asked about snowmobiling in other National Parks, where it is currently allowed and Parks that do not currently allow Snowmobiling. After consideration, Ms. Norton replied, "I think this is where it comes down to local decision making and proper balance."
After spending the better part of a day with the Secretary of Interior, I can honestly tell you that she truly believes in what she is doing and she said, "At the end of the day, after every decision has been made, you have to ask yourself if you are doing the right thing - and I think this administration is doing the right thing."
It all comes back to access -- not only to "our" public lands, but also to the decision makers. This administration has really taken the definition "access" to a new level.....hopefully a level we will have for another 4 years and from one administration to the next in the years to come!!
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