[pct-l] PCT relevency

[CMountainDave at aol.com (CMountainDave@aol.com)]

The price of gas is related to the PCT in two ways
 1. High prices can be used as an excuse to drill for oil and natural gas in 
areas that are currently off limits to such activities. Last time I checked, 
the PCT crosses quite a number of these areas. I, for one don't wish to see 
these areas degraded so that the price of gas will go down. I prefer other ideas.
2. Most thru hikers save up money to hike the PCT so that they can do without 
income for 5 to 6 months. If gas is selling at $3 a gallon, it kind of eats 
into that savings account. Many people eliminate or curtail their vacation 
plans when gas prices get too high
   Snowmobiles in Yellowstone affect the PCT. Many off roaders are unhappy 
that wilderness areas are not multiple use areas. They feel they are being 
discriminated against. They are a special interest group that must be dealt with. 
If not, they will eventually gain access to protected areas. The battle in 
Yellowstone is a major skirmish in the war to keep them at bay. If they win in 
Yellowstone, they will be emboldened to change laws to allow off road vehicles in 
protected areas. Last time I checked, the PCT passes through numerous such 
areas
   National budget questions directly affect the PCT. Budget cuts for 
agencies administrating public lands lead to poor enforcement of regulations such as 
no off road vehicles or mountain bikes in prohibited areas. Poachers and 
lumber thieves are also emboldened. Take the Tehachapi Mountains, for instance. 
They have been trashed by dirt bikers who know that the odds of being caught and 
fined are very small. Budget cuts for public land agencies only exacerbate the 
problem and also lead to less fund to maintain the PCT, which must then rely 
even more on volunteer labor
  Any more questions about relevancy?
  David C