How is it possible I (we) didn't know this was coming? True, I do keep my head in the sand a bit, but damn, this seems like pretty big news.
I learned of this from a New York Times story published yesterday 9/9/19. Then Willamette Week and Fox mentioned it (barely), and the nature of their coverage suggested it was news to them. Hello, is anybody paying attention? Embarrassing that we have to learn about these things from the NY Times.
NYT story:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/scie ... oring.html
"We’re Barely Listening to the U.S.’s Most Dangerous Volcanoes;
A thicket of red tape and regulations have made it difficult for volcanologists to build monitoring stations along Mount Hood and other active volcanoes."
(don't overlook the link to the U$F$ Supervisor'$ decision, it's quite interesting)
My commentary:
It seems really selfish to say "damn public safety, I want a wilderness experience on the mountain". However, a couple other things to consider:
1. Seems to me the non-wilderness areas offer outstanding opportunities to observe and monitor. Do they really need equipment on Yocum Ridge, Cooper Spur, Barrett Spur, Lamberson Spur, etc? [edit: funny that I wrote that not knowing where they would be sited, but sure enough, locations include YocR, BrSp, Lamb.]
2. I see countless squandered opportunities to enhance public safety. Why are we seeking blatantly illegal safety enhancements?
In spite of my reservations, I'm not quite sure where I stand on this. But I'm sure the erudite sophisticated analysis offered in comments below, and on Fox news, will help guide my opinion.
