district court removes 2001 snowmobile ban

October 14, 2004 --In a U.S. District Court in Wyoming, Judge Clarence Brimmer overturned a January 2001 rule that would have banned snowmobiles from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and limited winter access to snowcoaches.

Brimmer's ruling removes the ban from the record. He said the rule violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Administrative Procedures Act.

Brimmer also said the rule was a "political prejudgement" and the Environmental Impact Study used as rationale for the move was inadequate.

The ruling also reaffirmed that the Park Service is required by law to keep a balanced approach when managing National Park resources.

A decision on this year's rules for snowmobiling in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is expected by the end of October. The current recommendation is to allow 720 commercially guided best-technology sleds into Yellowstone daily, and 140 in Grand Teton daily.