The ROD adopts the
preferred alternative for snowmobile use from a final environmental
impact statement issued Feb. 20.
The plan will go into effect in December.
It limits the daily number of snowmobiles to 1,100, compared to the
current daily average of 840 and the holiday average of 1,650. It
requires 80 percent of snowmobilers to have commercial guides and the
other 20 percent to have a member of their party go through a safety
training program.
All snowmobiles used in the park must have four-stroke engines.
The plan, written by the Bush administration, overturns a 1999
Clinton administration plan that called for a complete ban on
snowmobiles in the parks by 2004. The plans also include the John D.
Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway that connects the parks.
The Clinton plan was the result of a lawsuit by conservation groups
claiming snowmobile emissions damaged the environment.
The Bush plan was the result of a settlement of a lawsuit by
snowmobile manufacturers claiming the lower emissions of four-stroke
engines had not been considered.
Time Line of Snowmobile
Ban
In May 1997, the Fund For Animals sued Yellowstone National Park for
failing to comply with the National Park Organic Act, the National Environmental
Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and other federal laws and regulation
concerning winter use. Yellowstone was required to develop a winter use plan.
August 1, 1999 - the Draft Winter Use Plan (DEIS) was released with an
expected 90 day review (11/1/99) that was extended twice to December 15, 1999.
Public participation included 48,600 comments from 46 states.
October 10, 2000 - The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and John D. Rockefeller, Jr.,
Memorial Parkway were published in the Federal Register.
November 22, 2000 - NPS released the Record of Decision on the FEIS
recommending the phase out of snowmobile use by the winter of 2003-2004.
December 18, 2000 - NPS issues a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in
the Federal Register to implement enforcement regulations contained in the FEIS.
January 20, 2001 - the White House issued a directive postponing the
effective date of any environmental protection published in the Federal Register
(FR).
January 22, 2001 - the final rule for Yellowstone National Park, Grand
Teton National Park, and Rockefeller Parkway was published in the Federal
Register effectively prohibiting snowmobile use in the winter of 2003-2004
The Bush Administration agreed to reconsider a National Park Service decision
to phase out snowmobiles from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and
prepare a new environmental impact statement. The move settled a lawsuit
challenging the phaseout filed last year by snowmobile manufacturers and the
Wyoming State Snowmobile Association.
According to the settlement agreement, the supplemental EIS calls for the NPS
to reconsider all alternatives, to completely review all relevant data,
including current engine testing data from snowmobile manufacturers, and to work
closely with cooperating State and local governments.
