Today s other headlines include a threat to the A.T. from a gravel mine in North Carolina, bear sightings at 8,000 feet in Alaska, and the closing of a popular store along the A.T. in Virginia. In either the Headlines or Environment Vigil section. The Schaghticoke Indian Tribe in Kent, Conn., is threatening to close the Appalachian Trail where it crosses their reservation on the Fourth of July. The move is a protest against the National Park Service s taking of land for the trail corridor without the tribe s consent. We are putting together an online tribute to Bill Foot , who died on Friday, May 19, from complications arising from his battle with cancer.
Photos are also welcome.
The executive director of the Sierra Club is taking issue with user fees in national forests, and a copy of his letter to federal officials is posted on our Editorial page . A black bear has fatally mauled a woman tourist in the Smokies, but park officials say the extremely rare incident will not change their policies toward the animals. See the story in the Headlines section. We have posted an online survey to help us improve the next edition of the Thru-Hikers Companion. Print it out, fill it out and mail it in, or compose your thoughts online and e-mail them to the address listed on the form.