Navajo Nation Sues Over Chaco Canyon Protections

Above, ancient pueblo Indian ruins at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Navajo Nation is taking advantage of the change in presidential administrations by filing a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior in federal court over Chaco Canyon.

According to E & E News:

The Navajo Nation is heading to federal court to challenge a long-standing freeze on fossil fuel and mineral development within New Mexico’s Chaco Canyon.

The lawsuit filed last week in federal court in New Mexico challenges the Biden administration’s 2023 decision to withdraw federal lands within a 10-mile radius of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to thousands of historical and spiritual artifacts. The move received strong support from the Pueblo and Hopi tribes.

The Navajo Nation alleged the Interior Department made its decision without properly consulting with its members about the economic consequences for tribal communities that are already facing financial hardship. 

To read more, go here. 

Yellowstone Visitation Up In July Despite Pandemic

Above, spectators watch Old Faithful Geyser erupt in July 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that visitation to Yellowstone National Park is back to normal, and then some, since the park reopened.

E & E News reported:

The coronavirus pandemic is not keeping visitors away from Yellowstone National Park, where attendance last month hit nearly 1 million, a 2% increase from July 2019. 

Park officials today said they hosted 955,645 visitors during the month. 

The park in Wyoming and Montana has long ranked as one of the most popular in the nation, though overall attendance has suffered this year. 

So far, through July of this year, the park has drawn a total of 1,664,830 visitors. That's a drop of 27.5% from the same time period last year.

To read more, go here. 

Yosemite Trademark Lawsuit: Hints of Progress?

Above, will the Curry Village name be soon restored? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A good sign has been noticed concerning the Yosemite National Park trademark legal battle between the federal government and Delaware North.

According to E & E News:

Negotiations appear to have quietly resumed in a big Yosemite National Park trademark dispute, renewing the possibility of a peaceful settlement to a multimillion-dollar fight that's drawn in some heavy hitters.

If a settlement can be reached, the historic and rightful names of Yosemite's attractions would be restored. 

Zinke and Panel Meet To Boost RVs In National Parks

Above, The Beast at North Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is looking to modernize campgrounds in national parks to better suit recreational vehicles.

According to E & E News:

Expanded and modernized spaces for recreational vehicles in national parks might be where the rubber meets the road as Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke pushes for improved public-private partnerships. 

After Zinke met with recreation industry representatives today, he cited "Eisenhower-era" RV spots as one area where the Interior Department might work alongside industry in meeting contemporary park visitors' needs. 

"A lot of our infrastructure is still stuck in the '50s, and in some cases before," Zinke told participants in what was billed as a recreation leadership meeting, adding that "we have to adjust to [what] Americans' outdoor experience is today." 

The industry representatives, from groups including the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association and International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, delivered 27 recommendations to Zinke during the approximately hourlong meeting in a fifth-floor conference room.

To read more, go here.