Pocatello, ID - In a move that was unfortunately expected, the Park Service last Thursday released an Environmental Assessment (EA) that allows only 318 snowmobiles daily into Yellowstone this winter. This allocation is not sufficient to provide for a viable winter economy in gateway communities and many visitors could be denied access.
It should be noted that the Park Service's 2007 decision, following the more robust Environmental Impact Statement process, determined that 540 daily snowmobile entries was an appropriate number.
Jack Welch, BlueRibbon Special Projects Consultant, said, "More people should be allowed in the Park, not fewer. People will be turned away this winter. This is not because there is a biological or scientific reason to do so; it is because winter visitors are caught in a game of politics and 318 is a convenient number between 0 and 540."
There are a few brighter spots in the EA. The decision does allow 25 snowmobiles per day with no best available technology (BAT) or guiding requirement to travel both directions on the Grassy Lake Road, providing access to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. This accommodates historical activity for snowmobilers who unload at Flagg Ranch and ride the Grassy Lakes Road to Idaho, Island Park and even West Yellowstone.
What will happen next? The BlueRibbon Coalition and its pro-access partners in the snowmobile community will continue to review and work with the Park Service to provide a long term solution for "Winter Use" in Yellowstone.
In the meantime, the organization will review options on this EA decision. The next step in the process is for the Park Service to create an implementing rule and have it published. That rule would be the governing regulation for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons.
Finally, there remains the possibility that a courtroom development could somehow change things.
As always, we will continue to post updates at www.saveyellowstonepark.com.
Remember, Yellowstone will open to the 2009-2010 season on Dec.15.
Following is Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson’s comment on the issue. Rep. Simpson is the ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, which funds the National Park Service.
“While I have not yet had a chance to fully review the announcement of the Park Service, I am concerned that this decision goes too far in limiting access and may be unwise for a country doing all it can to reinvigorate a moribund economy. Yellowstone National Park has remained one of America’s most important and spectacular public places for over 125 years while accommodating a broad range of visitor activities, including snowmobiling. I intend to meet with senior officials at the National Park Service about this decision over the coming days to hear their reasoning and share with them my concerns.”
