Even at isolated national parks, the sounds of civilization -- engines, car alarms, helicopters -- intrude on the visitor's ear
"Even the National Park Service agrees that parks are often easy on the eye but hard on the ear. Park Service officials are so concerned that this fall they're expected to ask all park superintendents to find ways to protect what's known as the soundscape, the blend of natural sounds unique to every park. During the last year, the Park Service has banned or restricted motorized playthings such as snowmobiles and personal watercraft, partly because of the noise they make."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Silence getting scarce at national parks
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