Devils Tower Managment Plan

[Off_White]

I just had email from Frank Sanders regarding the urgent need for climbers to have input on the Devils Tower Long Range Interpretive Plan. I've copied Frank's message below:

 

Dear Friends,

 

Below is a letter from the Chief of Interpretation at Devils Tower and attached is the current draft version of the plan to revise the Long Range Interpretative Plan at Devils Tower National Monument. This movement and document was started last fall in conjunction with plans to build a new Visitor Center within Devils Tower National Monument. This Interpretive Plan has Great Weight, in any decision that the Park Service makes, concerning the Tower, in the Future.

 

As you know, Devils Tower has a place in the Heart of many, many Climbers, but Climbers make up a very small percentage of overall visitors to the Monument (less then 2 percent I believe, but a very visible 2%). So, as this process has moved forward, I was happy to know that Climbers were invited to be involved.

 

Meetings that I attended, in Hulett, WY last September, 2009 were by invitation only. In attendance were 2 Climbers, 6-8 local Ranchers and 14 Native Americans. It is Not hard to see which way ALL the decisions went. It seems as though our interest, in continued access, has been listened to but, I am in no way certain that it has been provided for. We can all be certain that it is far from Guaranteed.

 

Continued access to The Tower will require continued Input, Diligence and Vigilance, by ALL of us. Climbers as a whole, enjoy no Love from the more activist-orientated leaders of many Native American Tribal groups. With that in mind, we should realize that Climbers will Always be an easily targeted user group, and that these people would like to see Climbers and Others, totally removed from the Monument.

 

Having just received and read this document that summarizes the past, present and future ideas and goals for the Tower grounds and staff interpretive message, I did not really see any guarantees for continued access for Climbers. I realize that climbing was specifically mentioned several times in the document, and hope that that is a good thing, as the Interpretive plan seems to be at the Heart of a National Parks or Monuments management decisions.. A Notable area where I noticed climbing was missing, was in the draft of "Monument Purpose Statement"... which gave no mention of protecting recreational access. As You read, You will see that there are multiple mentions of protecting the Native Access, Religious Access, etc…

 

As mentioned below, the comment period is closing on Dec. 6th, so please contact Hugh Hawthorne at Devils Tower as soon as possible.

 

Hugh_Hawthorne@nps.gov

307-467-5283 ext. 224

 

If nothing else, let him know that Protecting Climbing/Recreational Access is Very Important, and that it NEEDS to be included in the Monument Purpose Statement, and in Every Decision that the Park Makes !!!!!

 

Also request that Mr Hawthorne reply to Your mail, confirming its receipt.

 

Please take the few required minutes and express Yourself, Stand up for Climbing, Stand up for Our Parks and keep Devils Tower National Monument Open for ALL!!

 

Know that You are Loved and Admired for ALL that You do.

 

Blessed are those who Live out their Dreams,

 

Frank

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Hugh_Hawthorne@nps.gov [mailto:Hugh_Hawthorne@nps.gov]

Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 2:58 PM

To: Frank@DevilsTowerLodge.com; marhawkins@aol.com; Riphawk@aol.com; Driskill@rtconnect.net; Juliana_Byrd@SBCGolbal.net

Subject: Devils Tower LRIP final public comments

 

After a year of work we are nearing the finish line for the Devils Tower Long Range Interpretive Plan. There is still a small window available for public comment and suggestions. Because you showed interest in the process by being at the February 2010 public comment meeting we are sending the nearly completed document for further comment. Any comments or suggestions need to be received by Monday Dec 6th in order to be incorporated into the final document. Thank you for your interest and concerned support of Devils Tower National Monument.

 

Hugh Hawthorne

Chief of Interpretation

Devils Tower National Monument

307-467-5283 x224

[JasonG]

email sent, thanks Off_White! While I haven't had the chance to climb in the park yet, I sure hope to someday. It would really be a shame if access was closed before I had a chance to visit . ..

[BoulderTraveler]

Sent my email - thanks for the heads-up! I first climbed there in June 1973, making the 1024th ascent of the tower.