Come Sale Away

NPS proposal would make corporate donors more visible in parks

Because a thank-you letter just won't cut it, the National Park Service has proposed putting brass nameplates, markers, or banners in national parks to honor donor corporations. "We are looking to find ways to appropriately recognize the time and dollars contributed" by companies, says an NPS spokesflack. Enviros worry that expanded recognition of corporate donations will not only obscure the lovely view, but lead to private interests having more say in NPS policy decisions. Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) have both raised concerns over the plan. "I always thought of national parks as a commercial-free zone," said Bingaman. Oh, that wacky Bingaman! The proposal could be approved by early next year.