Yesterday, Nov. 20, 2007, the National Park Service provided a preliminary version of the Draft Winter Use Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for technical review by the 10 Cooperating Agencies involved in the planning effort.
The 10 Cooperating Agencies participating are the states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, the counties of Park and Gallatin in Montana, Park and Teton in Wyoming and Fremont in Idaho, the Enviromental Protection Agency and the U.S. Forest Service.
Some changes were already made to refine the document when it was made available for public review and comment in March 2006. The technical review draft identifies an agency preferred alternative, which would generally continue the current managed snowmobile and snowcoach program. This new draft is expected to be released for public review and comment in March 2007. The NPS intends to complete the EIS process prior to the start of the 2007-2008 winter season.
Under the preferred alternative, up to 720 guided, BAT snowmobiles would be allowed each day in Yellowstone. Snowcoaches would be subject to both sound and emissions requirements, and a daily limit of 78. Currently there are no sound or emissions requirements or daily limits on snowcoaches. The preferred alternative would also close Sylvan Pass to all motorized oversnow travel. Up to 140 snowmobiles would be allowed each day in Grand Teton, and most would have to meet BAT requirements. Commercial guides would not be required in Grand Teton, and access would continue to adjacent public and private lands.
The NPS continues its commitment to keep the public informed on the progress of the current winter use planning process by posting the Cooperating Agency Review Draft EIS on the Web,
go here.
To update those interested in the winter use planning process, the NPS is also hosting a public info fair on Dec. 8, 2006, from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Cody, Wyo.