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We are asking various snowmobile organizations and publications to please post this information on their websites. We are also asking members and clubs to help as well.
If you think it is appropriate, please distribute the following information to your peers, associates, family and friends. Every comment does make a difference!
JUST TWO WEEKS LEFT TO COMMENT ON 2008/2009 YELLOWSTONE WINTER ACCESS
On Monday, November 3rd, 2008, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks announced a two-week public comment period on a new plan to guide the management of winter use in the parks for 2008. The previous plan was rejected by a federal judge in Washington, D.C., in September. With no plan, neither snowmobiles nor snowcoaches could be allowed in the parks this winter.
The Park Service has diligently worked since the court’s decision, to develop this plan that offers two alternatives. The first, (called “no action’) would allow no motorized over-the-snow winter access. The second, and the park’s preferred, alternative would allow up to 318 commercially guided, Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles, and up to 78 commercially guided snowcoaches per day in Yellowstone beginning Monday, December 15, 2008.
The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce encourages everyone to participate in making a comment on these two alternatives as stated in the “2008 Winter Use Plans Environmental Assessment. All public comments must be received or postmarked by midnight, November 17, 2008. "This limited comment period is an important opportunity to participate in the EA process,” states Jamie Greene, Operations Manager for the Town of West Yellowstone. “Over-the-snow access into the park from West Yellowstone is a critical issue for our community. Every comment is important. We encourage everyone to take a minute and add your thoughts."
Written comments can be dropped off in person or mailed to: National Park Service Management Assistants Office, PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax, or e-mail.
For the easiest access, go directly to http://parkplanning.nps.gov. to read the EA and make a comment. Use the pull-down menu on "Choose a Park" to select Yellowstone, click on "Plans/Document Open for Comment," click on the link to "2008 Winter Plan Use Plans Environmental Assessment*" and then, look down the left-hand column for a link
There is a second opportunity to comment on the proposed rule concerning winter use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The proposed rule was released earlier today and is now out for public review and comment. The rulemaking process is in addition to, but is separate from the EA alternatives noted above.
The proposed rule was published today in the Federal Register, and is open for a 15-day public review and comment period through November 20, 2008. The proposed rule and an electronic form to submit written comments are available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp. You can find the proposed rule by searching the “Documents Open For Public Comment” and selecting the National Park Service as the agency. Written comments may be submitted through this web site, in person, or by mail. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax, or e-mail. All public comments on the proposed rule must be received or postmarked by midnight, Eastern Time, November 20, 2008.
After the comment period and analysis, the Region of the National Park Service would sign a Finding Of No Significant Action (FONSI) containing details of that decision and the new rule implemented.
The National Park Service expects to have a decision regarding winter use management by the December 15, 2008, scheduled start to the winter season. We remain confident that Yellowstone will open on time with a variety of winter access including cross-country skiing, snowcoach, snowmobile and snowshoe.
If you think it is appropriate, please distribute the following information to your peers, associates, family and friends. Every comment does make a difference!
JUST TWO WEEKS LEFT TO COMMENT ON 2008/2009 YELLOWSTONE WINTER ACCESS
On Monday, November 3rd, 2008, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks announced a two-week public comment period on a new plan to guide the management of winter use in the parks for 2008. The previous plan was rejected by a federal judge in Washington, D.C., in September. With no plan, neither snowmobiles nor snowcoaches could be allowed in the parks this winter.
The Park Service has diligently worked since the court’s decision, to develop this plan that offers two alternatives. The first, (called “no action’) would allow no motorized over-the-snow winter access. The second, and the park’s preferred, alternative would allow up to 318 commercially guided, Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles, and up to 78 commercially guided snowcoaches per day in Yellowstone beginning Monday, December 15, 2008.
The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce encourages everyone to participate in making a comment on these two alternatives as stated in the “2008 Winter Use Plans Environmental Assessment. All public comments must be received or postmarked by midnight, November 17, 2008. "This limited comment period is an important opportunity to participate in the EA process,” states Jamie Greene, Operations Manager for the Town of West Yellowstone. “Over-the-snow access into the park from West Yellowstone is a critical issue for our community. Every comment is important. We encourage everyone to take a minute and add your thoughts."
Written comments can be dropped off in person or mailed to: National Park Service Management Assistants Office, PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax, or e-mail.
For the easiest access, go directly to http://parkplanning.nps.gov. to read the EA and make a comment. Use the pull-down menu on "Choose a Park" to select Yellowstone, click on "Plans/Document Open for Comment," click on the link to "2008 Winter Plan Use Plans Environmental Assessment*" and then, look down the left-hand column for a link
There is a second opportunity to comment on the proposed rule concerning winter use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The proposed rule was released earlier today and is now out for public review and comment. The rulemaking process is in addition to, but is separate from the EA alternatives noted above.
The proposed rule was published today in the Federal Register, and is open for a 15-day public review and comment period through November 20, 2008. The proposed rule and an electronic form to submit written comments are available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp. You can find the proposed rule by searching the “Documents Open For Public Comment” and selecting the National Park Service as the agency. Written comments may be submitted through this web site, in person, or by mail. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax, or e-mail. All public comments on the proposed rule must be received or postmarked by midnight, Eastern Time, November 20, 2008.
After the comment period and analysis, the Region of the National Park Service would sign a Finding Of No Significant Action (FONSI) containing details of that decision and the new rule implemented.
The National Park Service expects to have a decision regarding winter use management by the December 15, 2008, scheduled start to the winter season. We remain confident that Yellowstone will open on time with a variety of winter access including cross-country skiing, snowcoach, snowmobile and snowshoe.
