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FEDERALhearing transcript

Senate Hearing on Increasing Visitors to Lesser-Known National Parks

Original title: OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND VISITATION AT LESSER-KNOWN NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM UNITS

January 1, 2021

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing serves as an official record for potential future legislation or policy changes aimed at shifting visitor traffic from overcrowded national parks to lesser-known sites, which could impact local economies and park management resources.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

National Park Service

The agency is responsible for managing park visitation and infrastructure, and may be tasked with implementing new strategies discussed at the hearing.

Local communities near lesser-known parks

These communities may experience changes in tourism-related economic activity if visitation patterns to nearby national parks shift.

Private tourism and camping businesses

Businesses like Kampgrounds of America may see changes in demand for services based on shifts in national park visitor traffic.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2021.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The U.S. Senate on National Parks held a in Deer Lodge, Montana, to discuss strategies for increasing tourism at less-visited National Park Service sites. The hearing featured testimony from National Park Service officials, local government representatives, and private sector tourism leaders.

Key Facts

  • The hearing was held on August 8, 2019, at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Deer Lodge, Montana.
  • The hearing was conducted by the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, part of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  • The primary objective was to explore opportunities to expand visitation at lesser-known units within the National Park System.
  • The hearing was the first in modern U.S. Senate history to be held in a barn.
  • Testimony was provided by representatives from the National Park Service, local county government, regional tourism organizations, and the private camping industry.

Why It Matters

This hearing serves as an official record for potential future legislation or policy changes aimed at shifting visitor traffic from overcrowded national parks to lesser-known sites, which could impact local economies and park management resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to gather information and testimony on how to encourage more visitors to explore lesser-known national parks, rather than focusing solely on the most popular, overcrowded sites.
Where did this hearing take place?
The hearing was held at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Deer Lodge, Montana.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Decentralization of Park Visitation

The hearing indicates a strategic policy interest in shifting tourism pressure away from high-traffic national parks toward lesser-known units.

Connected Entities

organizationSubcommittee on National ParksThe Senate body conducting the hearing.Map →
locationGrant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic SiteThe location where the hearing was held.Map →
personPalmer 'Chip' JenkinsActing Intermountain Regional Director, National Park Service.Map →
personToby O'RourkePresident & CEO of Kampgrounds of America, Inc.Map →
personSarah BannonExecutive Director of Southwest Montana.Map →
personDoug CrachyCommissioner of Powell County, Montana.Map →
personSteve DainesU.S. Senator from Montana and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks.Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance40
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment20
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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