Debate On 'Noise And Our National Parks' Featured Feb. 20-21 At CU-Boulder

Published: Feb. 9, 2003

Editors: A complete schedule of events is attached. Members of the media wishing to attend should call (303) 492-4007 in advance of the conference due to limited space.

Rising concern over noise from snowmobiles, touring planes and other mechanical devices in our nation's national parks will be addressed Feb. 20-21 at a University of Colorado at Boulder conference.

"The Silence of the Lands: Noise and Our National Parks," will include representatives from off-highway vehicle associations, environmental groups, the air tourism industry, tribal nations and major government agencies that oversee public lands.

All events will be in the Fleming Law Building on the CU-Boulder campus. The conference is free and open to the public but seating is limited and registration is required. Sponsors include the CU-Boulder Center of the American West, the National Park Service Natural Sounds Program and the CU Natural Resources Law Center.

The conference begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, with about 10 CU-Boulder professors and community members presenting short readings about sound in the outdoors. Sessions continue from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, with former U.S. Rep. Pat Williams of Montana giving the keynote address from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

"The topic of noise in the parks goes right to the heart of the most important issues about the future of outdoor experience in the West," said Patricia Nelson Limerick, professor of history and environmental studies and chair of the CU Center of the American West. "Different groups want different things from the National Parks, and figuring out how to deal with these conflicting claims could bring out the best in Western citizens."

Limerick will moderate a "stakeholders" panel discussion Feb. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon that will include representatives from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Overflights Advisory Group, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Wyoming State Trails Program, Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the CU-Boulder Leeds School of Business.

The National Park Service's efforts to deal with mechanical noise also will raise questions about noise in American society and its effects on physical and mental health.

"The purpose of this conference is to encourage dialogue among the many parties already concerned with this high-profile issue, and to engage the general public in a way that will moderate emotions and produce workable remedies," said Howie Thompson of the National Park Service Natural Sounds Program in Fort Collins, Colo.

Noise on public lands comes from many sources including aircraft overflights of various kinds, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, off-highway vehicles, buses, recreational vehicles, generators, "boom boxes" and the National Park Service's own maintenance vehicles, equipment and concessionaire operations. The conference aims to present a wide variety of viewpoints on sound in national parks and to encourage dialogue among the many parties advocating particular approaches to the issue.

To register visit the CU-Boulder Center of the American West Web site at , and fax the registration form to (303) 492-1671 or e-mail it to npsnoise@spot.colorado.edu.

For additional information call (303) 735-3261. Lunch is optional and can be purchased for $9 during pre-registration.

聯The Silence of the Lands: Noise and Our National Parks聰

University of Colorado, Boulder Campus

Fleming Law Building, Courtroom, and Rutledge Lounge

February 20-21, 2003

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