Fact Checking FAQS

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Fact Checking FAQS

After Sunday's demonstration I went to the elk reserve and a few thoughts came to mind as I looked at the water troughs the park service provided. In  particular I thought of things I had just read on their website’s FAQ page.

1 Water Quality Concerns

The park claimed to be concerned about the quality and source of water the activists brought in.  That would be inspiring unless you’re aware of the incredibly disgusting water the park WAS fine with claiming were adequate water sources for the elk.  Talk about potential for infection! The puddles I saw out there screamed “drink me and die”.

2 Wilderness

The park claimed that they made a special effort to place their troughs outside of designated wilderness areas.  I have two responses to that: 
1. The troughs seem to be in about the same spots so I’m curious exactly how designated and non designated wilderness is divided out there.  
2. If this is designated wilderness then it is a testament to the failure of the park service to restore native coastal prairie.  Instead the area was dominated by nonnative plants which can be traced back to ranching.  

3 Working with the public

The park claimed the public didn’t work with them to bring in troughs.  Well, I guess that’s technically correct, but this is because the park was unwilling to bring in water under any conditions.  Any and all proposals and even offers to provide volunteer labor were rejected.  Next thing we knew, the park had brought in water (even while continuing to claim no water was needed).

4 Water access

Lastly, you just have to pretend every animal in the reserve (including but not limited to just the elk) marched like well-trained cattle to the new water troughs at the southern tip of the reserve.
This video shows the third of three troughs. It is the furthest north yet it's just south of Pierce Point Ranch.
Just providing a little perspective for those who are thinking everything is OK now.

#elk #elkwater #Tuleelk #FAQs #facts #pointreyes #water #watertroughs 
#shameofpointreyes #skylerthomas #pointreyesnationalseashore #drought #wildlife

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