04-20-2015, 06:24 PM
I checked with MKSS. A couple of weeks ago feces were smeared on the restroom walls at the VIS, but it seems this is the only occurrence of such disgusting behaviour. Also, there were cases of intimidation towards MKSS and observatory staff but these have now mostly stopped after discussions between the protestors and observatory and MKSS staff.
Iron,
"Tom - Do you know if the these vehicle inspections are conducted for visitor and tour vehicles as well? The 2014 audit focuses on the lack of rules including illegal permits for tour operators and overall lack of enforcement and assessing fines by both UH and DLNR."
Re-read my post. I mentioned that these regulations only apply to observatory staff. The observatories are easy to target for this stuff, but it is much harder to come up with plans and procedures to inspect every vehicle heading to the summit, which is likely the reason these inspections only apply to the observatories at this point.
"In order to minimize the need for clean up, do you know if the rangers can issue tickets?"
I don't believe the rangers can issue tickets to the public, but they can ban observatory staff from the summit if they don't follow the rules.
Iron,
"Tom - Do you know if the these vehicle inspections are conducted for visitor and tour vehicles as well? The 2014 audit focuses on the lack of rules including illegal permits for tour operators and overall lack of enforcement and assessing fines by both UH and DLNR."
Re-read my post. I mentioned that these regulations only apply to observatory staff. The observatories are easy to target for this stuff, but it is much harder to come up with plans and procedures to inspect every vehicle heading to the summit, which is likely the reason these inspections only apply to the observatories at this point.
"In order to minimize the need for clean up, do you know if the rangers can issue tickets?"
I don't believe the rangers can issue tickets to the public, but they can ban observatory staff from the summit if they don't follow the rules.