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Climbing and ... Climbing => Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles => Topic started by: Gavin on January 03, 2013, 09:03:01 AM

Title: Change in park status: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: Gavin on January 03, 2013, 09:03:01 AM: Hey All -

Some of you may remember that a bill was passing through Congress in 2012 to change the park status of Pinnacles from a National Monument to a National Park. The bill passed through the House, stalled in the Senate, and was finally passed through the Senate on December 31st. The bill should currently be sitting on the President's desk and waiting for his signature, so it seems highly likely that Pinnacles will officially be a National Park in the near future.

What would this mean for climbing and general use of Pinnacles? As far as I can tell, the park status change would have absolutely no effect on climbing or other visitor use of the Pinns. The park status bill did not include any additional land acquisition or personnel funding... which likely means that park staff will have to manage Pinnacles resources for more visitors without any corresponding increase in personnel (law enforcement, interpretation, etc.) to deal with the increased usage.

At any rate, I thought folks might be interested in this development. I'll keep you posted as to when the park status change becomes official.
Title: Re: Change in park status likely: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: squiddo on January 03, 2013, 09:08:34 AM: Thanks for sharing this Gavin. I'll be honest that I'm looking for the silver lining in all of this but struggling to find one. My first thought is more restrictions/regulations. Of course to your key point though enforcement of that will be tough unless additional personnel are added.

In the short term though I fear parking issues. Yes call me selfish.....hate sharing.

At any rate thanks again for your hard work and spreading the word.
Title: Re: Change in park status likely: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: mungeclimber on January 03, 2013, 09:33:30 AM: agree with Squiddo.

Thx for the update Gavin!
Title: Re: Change in park status likely: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: CruxLuv on January 03, 2013, 01:43:47 PM: Thanks Gavin. I've been holding my breath waiting to hear your thoughts.
Title: Re: Change in park status likely: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: F4? on January 03, 2013, 06:00:41 PM: Maybe they can put the camping back in on the W-side.
Title: Re: Change in park status likely: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: JC w KC redux on January 03, 2013, 09:17:58 PM: Quote from: F4? on January 03, 2013, 06:00:41 PM
Maybe they can put the camping back in on the W-side.

a small walk-in campground on the west side - up to 10 sites is mentioned in the preferred plan.
Title: Re: Change in park status likely: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: JC w KC redux on January 03, 2013, 09:21:03 PM: Quote from: squiddo on January 03, 2013, 09:08:34 AM
In the short term though I fear parking issues.

there is mention of additional parking for day use on the east side being considered in the preferred plan - page 92 column 2 paragraph 2.
Title: Re: Change in park status: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: Gavin on January 10, 2013, 07:33:24 PM: Well, it's official: the prez signed the bill today and Pinnacles is now a National Park. Should be interesting seeing how that affects visitation in the short- and long-term.
Title: Re: Change in park status: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: F4? on January 11, 2013, 07:26:15 AM: Talk about changing times.

Does that mean property values in Soledad will go up?

Brad, be sure to change the name in the next guide book....
Title: Re: Change in park status: Pinnacles National Park
Post by: mungeclimber on January 11, 2013, 02:45:49 PM: I'm highly suspicious of this change. SJ Mercury confirmed, no additional budget with this law.