From New West Blog
Judge Discards Yellowstone National Park Plan for Snowmobile Use
By Lucia Stewart, 9-16-08
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A judge ruled that Yellowstone National Park’s proposed increase in snowmobile use would have adverse effects on the nation’s first national park.
Federal District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan stated in his ruling that the proposed number of snowmobiles “clearly elevates use over conservation of park resources and values,” reports the New York Times.
The order negates the current plan to increase 540 snowmobiles daily into the park for the upcoming winter season, and demands another draft of the plan.
Wyoming Republican Senator John Barrasso denounced the ruling, saying the “ruling was another example of ‘interventionist Washington judges legislating from the bench,’” reports the Helena Independent Record. The state wants to allow 720 snowmobiles a day, and is displeased with the lack of recognition towards area residents who collaborated to balance public access and conservation.
Many environmental groups say an upsurge of access will only increase air pollution, disturb wildlife in their fragile winter habitat and impact other recreational visitors.
It is unknown at this time how it will effect the scheduled December 15th opening for Yellowstone National Park’s winter season.
How many cars go through Yellowstone each day in the summer. The snowmobiles that are being used in Yellowstone are all 4 strokes now. If we are really concerned about wildlife impacts we should keep all cross country skiers out of the park since study after study shows that wildlife moves farther and faster away from people on foot or on skis than from people in cars, on snowmobiles or on ATV's.
Comment By Binky Griptight, 9-18-08Becky, You're probably right. Would you care to share the citations on a few of those studies?
Comment By BeckyJ, 9-19-08Binky, I'll get you those citations, but it will be sometime next week.
Comment By YNP4everyone, 9-20-08The new plan actually REDUCED the number of snowmobiles allowed daily from 720 to 540 so there was no increase. What Wyoming wants is what the cap had been at for the last couple of years. Before that the cap was just over 900 so they have been cut down and the judge is wrong if he thinks it is an increase. You can't compare an average to a maximum dailly cap.
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