Posted by Stan Rose on November 19, 2012 at 3:07 AM
I always visit Zapata Falls in November to catch it in its glorious freezing state--nothing quite like it.
Unfortunately, one of the government agencies (BLM, FS, state?? Zapata is state land managed by the feds) has decided that tourist dollars are more important than preserving natural beauty, and they have bolted an ugly steel cable to the entire length of the canyon wall, from the entrance to the falls.
As i explained in my angry email to the managing agencies, this was a moronic decision (well, i didn't use the word moronic in the email...) for the following abbreviated reasons: 1)it was unnecessary from a safety standpoint, and will likely increase the risks involved. 2)It will increase the negative impacts from increased traffic by people who don't give a rat's behind (again...paraphrased ) 3)It destroys the charm, experience and natural beauty of the landmark.
According to the EIS, fees will soon be instituted. I guess to pay for all the 'improvements' to the area. A concession stand will likely follow...
Posted by Morris McClung on November 19, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Easily the best shot of Zapata Falls by you or anyone else, Stan. Excellent comp and the same cool blue palette as Kane had in his last post. Beautiful and almost a fairyland kind of shot. The ice accents really add to the scene.
It's a shame they are bringing "the hand of man" to a place it is just not needed. Kudos to being active about trying to get them to stop before it's any worse.
Posted by Jack Brauer on November 19, 2012 at 4:21 PM
I've never actually been to the falls there, but now that I know I'll be safe with a cable, I'm going to go for sure!
Great shot, btw!
Posted by Amy Lindsey on November 19, 2012 at 6:03 PM
If they hadn't put up a cable, some moron would've eventually broken a leg and sued the government for not protecting them from their own idiocy. It's a shame people suck and can't take personal responsibility for their own stupidity. Beautiful image, however!
Posted by Ken Henke on November 19, 2012 at 7:10 PM
Beautiful capture indeed!
Regarding the cable, I suspect like most "safety" precautions on federal land, it could have been the result of unknown tort claim(s). Thus, the legal system is more likely to blame. That said, oftentimes, no matter what precautions are in place, the government still will lose claims. So, it comes down to how comfortable the current manager is with the decision. Case in point. Years ago, a thunderstorm in Yellowstone knocked down some power poles. Knowing it takes several hours for the electric company to get into the Park and repair the damage, Park employees put obnoxious orange contraction fencing where some live wires were on the ground. Additionally, they marked the area with a sign that said DANGEROUS. Well, as luck would have it, this area was near a popular hiking trail. And of course some brain-dead tourist just had to cross the fencing. Yep,he was burned bad, but survived. Sounds like and open and shut case for the government. But NO, the judge in the case said the government was negligent for not having an employee stay on location to warn people. In this case, the judge demanded the government do everything in their power to protect the public.
I'm not trying to defend the government, but I just want to pose another possibility for their actions. Believe me, almost every decision today takes into account how to avoid litigation. That said, we all need to speak up and do what Stan did when we know a decision is senseless. Otherwise managers only hear one side of the discussion. The way it's going, I often wonder is we will soon see, CAUTION: Prairie Dog holes ahead.
Posted by John Mumaw on November 19, 2012 at 7:50 PM
Ken & Amy hit the nail on the head unfortunately. I don't know what's sadder...our litiguous society in general or the fact that they actually performed an EIS before stringing the damned thing.
Posted by Kane Engelbert on November 19, 2012 at 8:45 PM
A freaking cable? I took my family up there last summer with no issues whatsoever...Of course there were a few people that couldn't make it which allowed my family to enjoy the roaring falls to ourselves. That's what we need Stan, is 30 people stuffed into that tiny gorge posing for pictures.
Last winter I made my visit to the falls and noticed ice climbers had drilled about 15 screws into the ice which left screw shaped holes all over the falls, so much for shooting that scene!
Great shot Stan.
Posted by Stan Rose on November 19, 2012 at 10:06 PM
Ken, I have no doubt the state's tort concerns played a major role--in fact they are also installing a fence up top--probably to try to prevent accidents like one in which a girl was killed in the canyon when someone up top knocked a rock on her head...
But this was the wrong way to address those concerns IMO. And if you see the crummy job they did, it will probably cause more accidents. I think the bigger picture is that they were more receptive to locals who want to see more tourism $ from it, but that's partly speculation.
OH--and the EIS was for all the roads and campgrounds, bike trails etc that are part of the master plan...
Posted by Doug Koepsel on November 19, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Sounds like a case of CYA and everynoe loses. I'm with Amy's sentiments.
Discussion
13 repliesUnfortunately, one of the government agencies (BLM, FS, state?? Zapata is state land managed by the feds) has decided that tourist dollars are more important than preserving natural beauty, and they have bolted an ugly steel cable to the entire length of the canyon wall, from the entrance to the falls.
As i explained in my angry email to the managing agencies, this was a moronic decision (well, i didn't use the word moronic in the email...) for the following abbreviated reasons: 1)it was unnecessary from a safety standpoint, and will likely increase the risks involved. 2)It will increase the negative impacts from increased traffic by people who don't give a rat's behind (again...paraphrased
According to the EIS, fees will soon be instituted. I guess to pay for all the 'improvements' to the area. A concession stand will likely follow...
It's a shame they are bringing "the hand of man" to a place it is just not needed. Kudos to being active about trying to get them to stop before it's any worse.
Wonderful image Stan, simply wonderful
http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/images/web285-girl_zapatafalls-2007.jpg
Where's the diaper changing stations? :)
Great shot, btw!
Regarding the cable, I suspect like most "safety" precautions on federal land, it could have been the result of unknown tort claim(s). Thus, the legal system is more likely to blame. That said, oftentimes, no matter what precautions are in place, the government still will lose claims. So, it comes down to how comfortable the current manager is with the decision. Case in point. Years ago, a thunderstorm in Yellowstone knocked down some power poles. Knowing it takes several hours for the electric company to get into the Park and repair the damage, Park employees put obnoxious orange contraction fencing where some live wires were on the ground. Additionally, they marked the area with a sign that said DANGEROUS. Well, as luck would have it, this area was near a popular hiking trail. And of course some brain-dead tourist just had to cross the fencing. Yep,he was burned bad, but survived. Sounds like and open and shut case for the government. But NO, the judge in the case said the government was negligent for not having an employee stay on location to warn people. In this case, the judge demanded the government do everything in their power to protect the public.
I'm not trying to defend the government, but I just want to pose another possibility for their actions. Believe me, almost every decision today takes into account how to avoid litigation. That said, we all need to speak up and do what Stan did when we know a decision is senseless. Otherwise managers only hear one side of the discussion. The way it's going, I often wonder is we will soon see, CAUTION: Prairie Dog holes ahead.
Last winter I made my visit to the falls and noticed ice climbers had drilled about 15 screws into the ice which left screw shaped holes all over the falls, so much for shooting that scene!
Great shot Stan.
But this was the wrong way to address those concerns IMO. And if you see the crummy job they did, it will probably cause more accidents. I think the bigger picture is that they were more receptive to locals who want to see more tourism $ from it, but that's partly speculation.
OH--and the EIS was for all the roads and campgrounds, bike trails etc that are part of the master plan...