yellowstone study leaves door open to snowmobiling
Amsnow
According to International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association prez Ed Klim, snowmobilers have reason to be heartened over a National Park Service (NPS) study that may pave the way for continued access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway that connects them.
The results and the proposed alternatives were contained in an environmental impact study that the NPS agreed to perform as part of a settlement to a lawsuit filed by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), the State of Wyoming, the Wyoming State Snowmobile Association, the Blue Ribbon Coalition, and concerned citizens against the NPS in response to its plan to ban snowmobiling in these national parks.
A Federal court in Wyoming found last June that the snowmobiling ban proposed by the NPS was based on a flawed Environmental Impact Study with incorrect data that grossly misstated snowmobiling emission levels and wildlife conflict. Last November, the NPS received data from ISMA and the cooperating agencies showing that some new snowmobile models dramatically reduce emissions, and that snowmobiling does not impair the park.
Snowmobilers support the concepts that would allow a limited number of snowmobiles to enter Yellowstone daily from 6 separate entrance points, thereby alleviating any overcrowding in some parts of the park. The same alternative requires a maximum speed limit of 35 mph on the popular 32-mile snow-covered paved road that leads to Old Faithful, and requirements for advanced ticket sales to reduce congestion at the park entrances.
Snowmobilers also support measures that will prohibit motorized and non-motorized access to Yellowstone's wildlife winter ranges and fragile thermal areas, the elimination of night riding in the park, and strict enforcement of the new regulations.
ISMA's Klim said he is confident that an alternative allowing snowmobiling will ultimately be supported by the NPS.
Moreover, research proves existing snowmobile use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks has not violated any ambient clean air standards.
"We're pleased that a reasonable and common sense resolution to this debate is finally beginning to emerge," said Klim. "The new study shows that the truth is on our side, which is what we've been saying all along. Moreover, the snowmobilers have demonstrated their willingness to help arrive at solutions that meet everyone's best interests.
"Scientific data now show that snowmobiles do not significantly impact the environment when driven on snow-covered groomed roads in managed sections of Yellowstone and Grand Teton, the same roadways that are used by tens of thousands of autos and busses in the warmer months," said Klim. "The park service has not indicated which alternative it prefers, but we're doing all we can to provide the hard facts that will make it easy for them to allow people to continue enjoying the unique winter beauty of these parks by snowmobile."