On a recent visit to Carlsbad Caverns I noted that a small section of the seemingly-fresh asphalt parking lot was deteriorating, exposing a similarly deteriorating layer of plastic sheeting beneath the asphalt. Having never witnessed such a practice I inquired from an area-resident friend “Sup with this?” He explained that it was to impede oil and other vehicle residues from penetrating the surface and leaching into the ground below. Sounded like a good idea.
Upon closer inspection I observed a large circular drainage basin located at the lowest point of the rather large parking area. Looking over the edge of the six inch concrete barrier surrounding the entire lot revealed that the drainage basin led into a short, maybe eight-foot long culvert pipe that discharges every nasty liquid washed from the lot directly onto the hillside outside of the perimeter of the parking lot.
Being a National Park I can only assume as to the amount of planning, red tape and $$$ involved in the parking lot creation. I guess my question is how in the world can such an egregious “dropping of the ball” take place?