Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 September 2005
in a long–standing conflict over voyageurs national park in northern minnesota, proponents of motorized use have battled environmentalists for decades—each side repeatedly using litigation to advance its concerns. the conflict, which began in the early 1960s over the location and management of a national park on the border of minnesota and ontario, resembles a protracted game of hearts in which each side temporarily trumps the other by winning a victory in the courts. most of these victories have been short–lived, however, because of reversals on appeal or changing political circumstances. so who has won? certainly not the national park service, which has continually been buffeted from both sides of the debate. the environmentalists, who want to ensure that the park and its native species are protected from abuse, have not been victorious. nor do the proponents of motorized use declare themselves victors, claiming instead that they have made concession after concession (e.g., giving up desirable snowmobiling trails and floatplane access) in the interest of wildlife preservation.