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Cleaner, Quieter Snowmobiles Approved For Use In Yellowstone National Park  2003-2004

EPA: Letter not a reversal on snowmobile stance

Associated Press, June 4, 2002

The Environmental Protection Agency has softened its opposition to snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, saying clean air standards could be met with newer machines using stricter pollution controls.

Study finds snowmobiles stress elk and wolves

Associated Press, June 2, 2002

Bison don't appear to be affected. Snowmobiles cause enough stress on wolves and elk in Yellowstone and other national parks that it may harm their reproductive and immune systems, a Montana State University study has found.

New rules: Park Service test drives regulations at West Entrance

By BRETT FRENCH
Gazette Outdoor Writer,
January 24, 2002

WEST YELLOWSTONE - Jeff Kurtz is pleased with the National Park Service’s new rules concerning snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park.

"We’ve seen so much movement in the Park Service, more positive things in the last year than I’ve seen since I’ve been here," said Kurtz, manager of the Stage Coach Inn in West Yellowstone.

He said the rules show that cooperative changes to winter use of the park can make a difference.

The new rules were enacted this season on the west side of the park. They include:

  • Moving all park pass sales into the community.
  • Lowering the speed limit from 45 to 35 between West and Old Faithful.
  • Increased grooming on that section of roadway.
  • More park interpretive presentations for West Yellowstone visitors.
  • Adding park personnel and volunteers on the snow roads to help visitors understand and use low-impact snowmobiling techniques.

Park staff members also are monitoring bison movements to decrease human conflicts with wildlife.

Marsha Karle, park spokeswoman, agreed that the new rules are working well.

"From everything I hear, it’s going good," she said.

"The hotels and community like the extra programs we’re doing. The sales of passes in town rather than at the park gate is going well. There’s only a few people who aren’t getting the word and showing up at the gate."

But she added that the Park Service never expected the rules to solve continuing problems within the park of air quality, crowding and snowmobile vs. wildlife conflicts.

Small improvements

"We’ve seen improvement in a couple of small areas," said Bob Seibert, West District ranger.

He said the sale of passes in town has kept traffic moving through the gates somewhat quicker, but snowmobile operators are still required to stop and show their pass. Gate personnel are also screening for underage drivers and excessively loud machines.

"There will always be some minor delays," Seibert said.

Overall, Seibert said the new rules have made very minor improvements inside the park.

"If we’ve made any progress in air quality, we can’t see it," he said. "The staff have expressed the same complaints as before - runny eyes, sore throats and headaches."

Elton Erp, supervisor of air monitoring at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, said it’s impossible for the state’s air-monitoring equipment at the West Entrance to measure any change in air quality over such a short time span, since the rules have been enacted.

In the past, Erp said, the air quality at the entrance has exceeded national standards for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons at times, usually on calm winter days when there’s little air movement.

"There’s no question that in the last few years the air at the park entrance is the worst air we’ve measured in Montana," Erp said. Other monitoring sites are in downtown Kalispell, Billings and Great Falls.

"Nothing else comes close to what we see in Yellowstone on the rare occasion," Erp said.

Visitation up-down

Seibert also said that, despite changes, wildlife inside the park is still coming in contact with snowmobilers (see related story) and the roads, although sometimes groomed twice daily, still become rutted and bumpy if snowmobile numbers exceed 300 a day.

"We weren’t sure if the 35 mph speed limit would help the road surface, and it appears it doesn’t," he said.

That’s in spite of the fact that numbers at the West Entrance were down about 6 percent during the holidays, Seibert said. The park opened for the winter season on Dec. 17.

Overall, winter visitation in Yellowstone National Park was up a little for December 2001, Karle said. The park recorded 27,716 visitors for the month.

Last year, winter use - between December 2000 and March 2001 - totaled 347,939, up about 4 percent from the previous season.

Much of that use comes through the gate at West Yellowstone, which logged 66,330 visitors. The North Entrance at Mammoth tallied 45,091 visitors, compared with 24,716 at the South Entrance near Cody and 4,387 at the East Entrance near Jackson Hole.

Of the 66,330 visitors accessing the park at the West Entrance, 57,202 were on snowmobiles. Only 26,346 accessed the park on snowmobiles from the other entrances.

Studying park use

The Park Service is studying whether to ban or reduce snowmobile and snowplane use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway. A supplemental environmental impact statement to be released Feb. 4 will outline proposed winter-management alternatives. Public comment on the proposals will be taken from March 29 to May 29.

The SEIS comes on the heels of a Clinton administration decision to ban all snowmobile use in the parks by the winter of 2002-2003. That ban was delayed, and the SEIS instituted, after the International Snowmobile Manufacturers’ Association, the state of Wyoming and others sued claiming that new snowmobile technology was not considered in the Park Services’ studies.

The possibility of a ban on snowmobiles in the park has businessmen like Kurtz worried.

"The big concern I have is that snowmobile rentals generate almost as much revenue as rooms," he said. "Seventy to 75 percent of the sleds going into the park are rental sleds."

The possibility of snowcoaches being the only means to enter the park in winter also worries Kurtz. "I just don’t see that snowcoaches would ever replace or deal with the numbers of people as snowmobiles do," he said.

Instead, Kurtz said he hopes to see a phase-in of cleaner running four-stroke snowmobiles and some type of cap on the number of visitors allowed into the park daily.

"I really think, if we go to the four strokes, everybody wins," Kurtz said. "They’re cleaner, quieter and enhance the experience."

Change in the weather

Seibert said that, when the process of studying winter use began years ago, business people were in denial about making any changes.

"Now there’s not a business person in town who wouldn’t say some changes need to be made," he said.

Seibert said it’s a tragedy the debate over winter use has become so political.

"They took a logical planning process and turned it into a political stage," he said. "If we can cut through the fog, the right decision is apparent. The only logical type of decision is access by snowcoaches only.

"And coming to that decision wasn’t political," he said. "There weren’t ulterior motives to limit access. We took the route that would still allow public access."

Seibert said he looks forward to the day when the decision has been made and things have settled down.

"In four or five years when cash registers are ringing and things are ticking along, we can get back to normal," Seibert said. "But right now things are so emotionally charged that common sense is being overlooked."

Yellowstone snowmobile ban stirs community’s fears
By BRETT FRENCH
Gazette Outdoor Writer,
January 23, 2002

Marysue Costello is concerned about what will happen to her community if snowmobiling is banned in Yellowstone National Park.

"I personally am very concerned about what will happen to the schools and churches," said Costello, executive director of the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce and a resident for 27 years.

The National Park Service is studying whether to reduce or ban snowmobile and snowplane use inside Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway.

After almost three years of study, the Clinton administration moved to ban snowmobiles by the winter of 2003-2004. Under that plan, snowcoaches would have been the only allowed motorized vehicles to enter the park.

The ban was put on hold after the International Snowmobile Manufacturers’ Association, the State of Wyoming and others sued the Park Service claiming the ban was based on poor science. In June 2001, the Park Service agreed to revamp its study of the issue to consider cleaner snowmobile technology.

The Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for winter use in the parks will be released for public comment on Feb. 4. The public can comment from March 29 to May 29. A decision will be made in October.

With the possibility that snowmobiling will be allowed for only one more season in the park, it’s imperative for businesses in adjacent communities to get the word out that there’s more to do than see the park by snowmobile.

"I think if these people are good at their marketing, they’ll continue to advertise that they’re next to Yellowstone National Park to lure families there, but continue to be a snowmobiling center," said Tom Power, chairman of the University of Montana economics department.

The majority of snowmobilers entering the park go through the entrance at West Yellowstone, over 57,000 last year. Because of that, perhaps no other community will feel the effects of a change in park management as strongly.

West Yellowstone is a place where there are more snowmobiles available for renting (1,080) than there are year-round residents (1,020). There are also enough hotel beds (1,516) for everyone in town to spend the night.

According to Costello, winter business accounts for about 25 percent of the town’s economy. If snowmobiling in the park is restricted, she estimates businesses could see a 15 percent to 20 percent drop in earnings.

"How many people can stand a 15 to 20 percent hit and keep functioning?" she said.

Jeff Watt, of Ace Powder Guides in West Yellowstone, said closing the park to snowmobiling would definitely hurt his snowmobile guiding business.

"We’d lose the families, the groups and ski clubs from Big Sky," he said. "Without the park we wouldn’t be where we’re at. We wouldn’t have the groomed trails, restaurants and snowmobiles."

Jeff Kurtz, manager of the Stage Coach Inn in West Yellowstone, said part of the problem is that no one just happens through town.

"It’s kind of a niche market," Kurtz said. "It takes a hardy breed of customer to want to drive in there at 10 below. I think the uniqueness of the snowmobiling experience is what makes it for people."

Take away the uniqueness of the park and West Yellowstone is just another place to snowmobile, they said.

Not everyone agrees.

"I’m not in the snowmobile business," Power said, "but the number of people who want to year after year drive slowly on a flat road, bumper to bumper in Yellowstone National Park, has to be small.

"I understand why they don’t want to lose that part of their business," he added, "but it’s a gross exaggeration to say closing the park to snowmobiles would severely impact the economy. It’s being said for political purposes rather than out of economic reality."

Costello disagreed. She said the proof of the park’s drawing power is evident on March 12 when the park closes its gates for the winter season. "We still have excellent riding outside the park," she said, yet business drops off dramatically.

Bob Seibert, West District ranger for the Park Service, said the West Yellowstone business community is being short-sighted. Seibert said even if snowmobiles are banned from the park, snow coaches will still be allowed.

"Where else would people be afraid to market two unique snow experiences?" Seibert asked. "Snowmobiling outside the park, and a unique wildlife safari where business owners provide access.

"To think no one will come, I can’t buy that," Seibert said. "The draw of Yellowstone is immense around the world and this would be a unique experience."

Park delays snowmobile review
Associated Press, January 20, 2002

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - The National Park Service has delayed release of a comprehensive environmental review of snowmobile use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

The Park Service said it needs additional time to review the findings.

The study, which also looks at snowmobile use in Wyoming’s John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, was to be released on the Internet on Monday. It now is expected to be posted Feb. 4, the Park Service said Friday.

The Department of Interior agreed to the supplemental environmental impact statement as part of a settlement of a lawsuit filed by the snowmobile industry.

The industry sued when the Clinton administration proposed phasing out snowmobile use in the park by the winter of 2003-2004 to address concerns over the machines’ affects on wildlife and the environment.

The Bush administration quickly backed away from that plan, and the upcoming study will serve as the basis for determining future snowmobile use within the parks.

A final EIS is not expected until mid-November and will follow a 60-day comment period, which now is scheduled to begin in late March.

Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee will hold a field hearing on the proposed ban’s effects on local economies.

The hearing was arranged at the request of Rep. Denny Rehberg, D-Mont., and will be chaired by Rep. Don Mazullo, R-Ill.

The hearing will be 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 26, in the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, 315 Yellowstone Ave., in West Yellowstone.

Off-road exhaust rules ripped at EPA hearing

By Kit Miniclier
Denver Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 31, 2001

- Snowmobilers "are a form of environmentalist," Jack Sheets told a sparsely attended public hearing Tuesday on proposed new emissions regulations for off-road recreational vehicles.

New info on quieter snowmobiles

By Jeff Tollefson
Billings Gazette
August 15, 2001

Snowmobile manufacturers have failed to provide any useful information about new technologies that they claim should alter a decision to end snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park, according to National Park Service officials.

Snowmobiling study underway

The Associated Press
August 4, 2001

The National Park Service has begun re-examining the environmental effects of snowmobiling in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks as part of a settlement with snowmobile manufacturers and the state of Wyoming.

Snowmobile supporters lobby federal officials

The Associated Press
August 2, 2001

LIVINGSTON (AP) – Opponents of a snowmobile ban in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks plan to bring information about new, cleaner machines to a meeting with federal officials.

Snowmobile Competition Participants Prefer Ethanol

Ethanol blends were the choice of six of the seven participating teams in the 2000 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Clean Snowmobile Challenge (CSC) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The 10-percent ethanol blend being used reduces harmful emissions and optimizes sled performance. "Ethanol is known to be an excellent performance-enhancing and emissions-reducing additive in gasoline," said Jim Johnson, president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association."

Snowmobile fight will heat up again

By Jeff Tollefson
Billings Gazette
July 13, 2001

Counties and states surrounding Yellowstone National Park are preparing for another round in the ongoing dispute over snowmobile use. In the studies that led to a decision to phase out snowmobiles from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, the National Park Service included the three surrounding states as well as Park and Teton counties in Wyoming, Park and Gallatin counties in Montana and Fremont County, Idaho.

Gov. Martz asks role in snowmobiles

The Associated Press
July 7, 2001

HELENA (AP) – Gov. Judy Martz has asked federal officials to let Montana have a voice in developing a new environmental study of the proposed phase-out of snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. In a letter to Teton's acting superintendent, Martz said she was responding to an earlier invitation from the National Park Service.

The Fund for Animals Condemns Snowmobile Litigation Settlement Agreement

Press Release SOURCE: The Fund for Animals
July 5, 2001

Today, The Fund for Animals issued a statement questioning the motives of the Bush Administration in entering into a settlement agreement with snowmobile manufacturers and users regarding snowmobile use in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and John D. Rockefeller parks. The Fund, Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Ecology Center, and several individuals sued the Interior Department and the National Park Service (NPS) in 1997 to force the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on winter use in the parks. The EIS resulted in a Clinton Administration decision to phase- out snowmobiles in the parks.

Snowmobile settlement gives new life to sleds in Yellowstone

By Jeff Tollefson
Billings Gazette
June 30, 2001

Folks who displayed bumper stickers reading “Snowmobilers for Bush” last fall placed their trust in the right hands.

Following weeks of closed-door talks, the Bush administration on Friday signed a settlement agreement with snowmobile manufacturers that could allow snowmobiling to continue in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The agreement left the snowmobile ban in place but calls for a supplemental environmental impact statement that takes into account the benefits of new, “cleaner and quieter” snowmobiles.

Bush may lift snowmobile ban in Yellowstone

By Katharine Q. Seelye
The New York Times
June 24, 2001

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. – The Bush administration appears to be on the verge of reversing a Clinton-era ban on snowmobiles that was to go into effect in two years here in the nation's oldest national park.

Bush administration 'negotiating' snowmobile ruling

By Bill McAllister
The Denver Post
Thursday, April 26, 2001

President Bush has agreed to allow the Clinton administration's ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks stand, but environmentalists suspect it may be a short-lived victory.

WILL BUSH LIFT BAN?
Snowmobile buzz echoes in White House

By Todd Wilkinson
The Christian Science Monitor
February 21, 2001

At a rate of roughly one every 10 seconds, thousands of snowmobilers poured into the country's oldest national park this week for what could be a last hurrah for the controversial over-the-snow vehicles.

Engineer challenges snowmobile myths: Fussell gears up for Clean Snowmobile Challenge with straight snowmobile talk

By Rachel O'Dell
Jackson Hole News
February 2, 2000

OPINION/EDITORIALS

Opinion: Snowmobile issue demands compromise

Billings Gazette
July 11, 2001

Though nothing has really changed – yet – last week’s news regarding the ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone Park triggered emotions at both end of the spectrum – glee on the part of the tourism industry, outrage on the part of environmentalists.

Is noise drowning out logic?

The Denver Post
May 23, 2001

Here's what the Bush administration's deceptive scheme to keep snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park will mean: Endless noise wrecking the park's tranquility.

Keep snowmobile ban

The Denver Post
April 28, 2001

The Bush administration is trying to pull the wool over the public's eyes by saying it will uphold a ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks yet still push for "limited recreational use" of the machines in the two parks. The double-speak amounts to no ban at all on the loud, polluting mechanized toys. And that's unacceptable in our first national park and its neighboring jewel.

Policy protects parks

The Denver Post
April 22, 2001

In shameless entreaties to a federal agency, the snowmobile industry now insists its effect on national parks is limited to air pollution – and that even the pollution shouldn't be regulated. The first suggestion is absurd, since snowmobiles pose myriad problems.

Winter Visitor Use Assessment Released: Emphasizes Negatives in Snowmobiling for Greater Yellowstone Area

Blue Ribbon Magazine
August 1999
Adena Cook,
BlueRibbon Commission Public Lands Director

If you are a snowmobiler, it is essential that you get a copy of this full report. You need to see first-hand how your favorite sport has been mischaracterized and maligned.

EVENTS

Clean Snowmobile Challenge 2002

March 2002
Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Visit the Clean Snowmobile Challenge website.