1. PUBLIC USE-Restriction PLAN: The plan called for use of the camping area by groups only, including permitted commercial and volunteer guided groups and qualified educational study groups. All overnight use is by advance application and reservation only.
2. ASSESSMENT: A number of issues have arisen regarding full utilization of the campground. There are currently times when no qualified guides are available to camp with groups interested in staying overnight. In addition, individuals and families arrive at the park desiring to camp but, without a reservation or as a member of a guided party, they are turned away at the gate. Because of these situations, the campground is frequently underutilized or vacant. (OK, lets make sure we understand. They put in a bunch of restrictions that make it very difficult to camp out. Then when no one camps out, they say that the "campground is underutilized", and then use that as a justification for eliminating overnight camping? Brilliant!)
The campground is located within the floodplain, with flooding occurring twice during August 1999 damaging facilities and campsites. There are currently no plans to replace these facilities.
Finally, with increased information regarding the numbers and locations of archeological deposits and pictographs, the risks associated with allowing overnight use become of greater concerns. (Can't have those darn climbers roaming around at night! They might step on invisible rock art or lichen.)
3. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that overnight use at the park be eliminated. (Note 3.23.08 - there was such a howl of pain from the RV crowd that the necrocultists had to drop this stupid recommendation - but just wait, they will eventually prevail.) Changing the park to day use only will allow for reallocation of staff to visitors services, such as tours, and to an increased backcountry (Gestapo)presence. Potential threats to natural and cultural resources, posed by overnight visitors straying into the backcountry, will be eliminated. (Eliminated? No. there will be more fence-hopping... better get those motion detectors installed ASAP.) Facilities in the campground area, such as picnic tables, may be utilized to accommodate day users. (Good-bye, midnight bouldering. Good-bye, drums in the darkness of Cueva de Leon, moonlight dripping down the walls. Good-bye, stargazing on the "dark side" of Hueco. At least I knew you once ... America, are you still alive? Am I the only one left who values freedom more than security?)
1. PUBLIC USE-Restriction PLAN: The plan did not permit pets or bicycles in the park under any circumstances. Fires were prohibited, with containerized fuel allowed only in the camping area.
2. ASSESSMENT: Situations have arisen during the year that have demonstrated the need for somewhat less restrictive regulations for pets and bicycles. (Politicians leaned on the TPWD)Because of resource concerns and visitor concerns, neither pets nor bicycles are appropriate in the backcountry (Get real. Hueco is tiny - you can't have "backcountry" in a park that is less than 2 miles wide!) of the park.
3. RECOMMENDATION: Pets will be allowed on leash, under control of their owners at all times (Just treat your dog the way the TPWD treats us, and you will be fine). No unattended pets (Just like there should be no unattended climbers). Visitors are discouraged from bringing pets under these conditions. No pets will be allowed on tours, in the backcountry or outside of the developed (do they mean bolted??) areas of the park.
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