Limit on snow machines proposed

NPS releases Yellowstone plan

Fri., May 6, 2011

Bob Moen Associated Press

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A proposal released Thursday by the National Park Service would restrict the number of snowmobiles allowed in Yellowstone National Park during the winter to a historically low level of no more than 330 a day.

The agency had been studying several options, ranging from 720 snowmobiles a day to an outright ban as it wrestles with the long-running dispute between environmentalists and snowmobile enthusiasts.

Varying the number of snow machines in the park is intended to provide a more peaceful experience on certain days for people who ski and snowshoe.

In previous years, as many as 720 snowmobiles were permitted in the park each day.

During the past two winters, however, officials have allowed 318 snowmobiles and 78 multi-passenger snow coaches a day under temporary rules. The latest proposal calls for those figures to stay in place for one more winter, with the changes taking effect in the 2012-’13 winter season.

In addition, all snowmobilers would still be required to arrange for guides, and snow coaches for the first time would be required to install engines that emit less pollution.

Yellowstone Superintendent Daniel Wenk said he didn’t think the proposal would cause confusion among winter visitors because the daily snowmobile and snow coach limits would be published a year in advance.

“The operators will know, visitors who want to visit Yellowstone will know,” Wenk said. “I think it allows for us to be responsive to both visitor use demands, experience demands and provide a great winter use opportunity for the public.”

The recommendation will be followed by more study and public comment. A final decision is expected later this year and, given the history of the contested issue, likely will end up in a federal court.

Yellowstone straddles the borders of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. During winter, the interior of the nation’s first national park is largely inaccessible except by visitors using snow machines, skis or snowshoes.

Under its latest proposal, the Park Service wants to allow between 110 and 330 snowmobiles a day. Between 30 and 80 snow coaches would be allowed. Based on Yellowstone’s 90-day winter season, the park could average 254 snowmobiles a day. It averaged 194 this past winter.

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