How to keep national parks open during a government shutdown.
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Is the Federal Government Shutdown Forcing Closure of Privately Run Facilities?
Bryan Preston reports that the federal government is ordering private contractors to close campgrounds and the like on federal lands even where such properties do not rely upon federal funds to operate. Indeed, in many cases, these properties generate revenue for the federal government. According to Preston’s report, similar closures were not ordered during prior shutdowns, soContinue reading “Is the Federal Government Shutdown Forcing Closure of Privately Run Facilities?”
Conservatives and Environmental Regulation
There is fairly broad opposition to centralized environmental regulation within the Republican Party today. Conservative activists in particular focus their ire on the Environmental Protection Agency and federal efforts to maintain or enhance environmental quality. It was not always so. The American conservation movement has roots on the right side of the political spectrum andContinue reading “Conservatives and Environmental Regulation”
National Parks in the 21st Century
Do you visit national parks for the monumental value or for their ecological value? Can they be the same and how can we manage to keep our parks operating well into the 21st century? Join Alfred Runte and Holly Fretwell for a conversation on national parks.
Q&A with Max Auffhammer on Adaptation to Climate Change
UC Berkely economist Max Auffhammer recently visited PERC as a 2013 Lone Mountain Fellow to continue his extensive research of human adaptation to climate change. He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research in the Energy and Environmental Economics group, a Humboldt Foundation Fellow, and a lead author for the Intergovernmental PanelContinue reading “Q&A with Max Auffhammer on Adaptation to Climate Change”
National Public Lands Day 2013
This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of National Public Lands Day, a day to celebrate America’s parks and other public lands. But as park agencies face steep budget cuts, many parks are threatened with closure. According to a new report, innovative public-private partnerships provide a solution to keep parks open, well maintained, and generate aContinue reading “National Public Lands Day 2013”
Unlocking the Wealth of Indian Nations
Indian reservations are hobbled by burdensome regulations and bureaucracy. Native Americans should be given the dignity they deserve and be freed from federal guardianship.
A Tale of Two Parks
Park agencies are partnering with private companies to keep parks open, well maintained, and generate a return for taxpayers.
Q&A with Ryan Abman on Deforestation and Local Politics
Ryan Abman, a PERC Graduate Fellow and a PhD candidate in the Department of Economics at the University of California-Santa Barbara, is examining the effects of political influence over local natural resources this summer at PERC. Ryan focuses on the Brazilian Amazon and how local politics affect deforestation. In particular, he is exploring what he calls the political logging cycle—the close connection between political elections and deforestation rates in Brazil.
Property Rights and the Emergence of Modern Life Expectancies
Between 1850 and 1950, the Western world witnessed remarkable and historically unprecedented improvements in human health and longevity. In the United States, life expectancy at birth among whites increased by 75 percent, growing from 39.5 to 69. Among non-whites there was an even larger increase, with life expectancy more than doubling, rising from 23 toContinue reading “Property Rights and the Emergence of Modern Life Expectancies”