Park Pressure

I missed the impressive "Development Inches Toward National Parks" by Frank Bass of the Associated Press when it first came out in June but saw it highlighted this week on the Investigative Reporters and Editors Web site. Bass shows how nearby population growth, security concerns, soaring popularity, environmental changes and new construction are putting tremendous pressure on U.S. national parks. Bass weaves together hard data, analysis, interviews and vivid descriptions to describe how vulnerable our beloved parks have become. His lead uses strong verbs to set the scene:
"The ice-covered mountaintops are shrouded by fog. A stream gushes against the rocks on a headlong rush to the lake. High above the deserted visitors' parking lot, an elk stares at a lone hiker."