Question

consider this claim:
the federal government should protect national parks by limiting the number of visitors allowed.
which is the strongest evidence to support the claim?
in recent years, the national park service has reported a backlog of underfunded projects due to aging infrastructure, budget restraints, and staffing shortages.
staff at yosemite national park report that an increase in visitors has led to problems such as smog and trail erosion.
one recent visitor to a national park posted the following review on a popular website: \the experience was disturbing. it was like going to an amusement park: long lines, tons of traffic, trash strewn everywhere.\

Explanation:

The claim argues for limiting visitors to protect national parks. The strongest evidence directly links increased visitors to park harm. The first option discusses funding issues (unrelated to visitor numbers). The third is a single visitor's anecdote (weak, subjective). The second option provides staff reports from Yosemite linking more visitors to concrete environmental damage (smog, trail erosion), which directly supports the need to limit visitors for protection.

Answer:

Staff at Yosemite National Park report that an increase in visitors has led to problems such as smog and trail erosion.