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Lukewarm Reception from Snowmobile
Community on Yellowstone ROD
In November, the Regional Office of the National Park Service in Denver
issued its Record of Decision (ROD) on winter use in Yellowstone and
Grand Teton National Parks. This is the latest action in the process of
developing a long-term winter use plan for the Parks.
The ROD is the final step from which the implementing rule will be
developed. This must happen in the next 30 days for the park to open to
snowmobile access Dec. 19. The ROD formalizes changes and
restrictions in snowmobile access to the Parks.
Jack Welch, President of the BlueRibbon Coalition, stated, "We are not
completely satisfied by the reduced levels of snowmobile access
available only through commercial tour operators, but we appreciate the
difficulty of the Park Service's management balance and are thankful that
the agency has decided to allow for some level of continued snowmobile
access to the Parks."
The final decision includes the following key components:
Welch. "The Park Service has announced that a 'transition period' will
occur in the upcoming 2007-2008 season. During the transition, none of
the new restrictions will be implemented. We are also pleased that the
Grassy Lakes Road remains accessible with non-BAT sleds from Idaho
to Flagg Ranch, which is popular with some riders and essential to the
continued operations of the Ranch."
Other key aspects of management during the "transition period" are that
all entrances, including Sylvan Pass, will be open, all snowmobiles will
be BAT and commercially guided and total snowmobile entries will be
capped at 720 per day.
Welch continued, "We continue to closely monitor this issue and will
continue our efforts to defend reasonable snowmobile access to the
Parks."
For continued updates, please visit www.saveyellowstonepark.com.
Community on Yellowstone ROD
In November, the Regional Office of the National Park Service in Denver
issued its Record of Decision (ROD) on winter use in Yellowstone and
Grand Teton National Parks. This is the latest action in the process of
developing a long-term winter use plan for the Parks.
The ROD is the final step from which the implementing rule will be
developed. This must happen in the next 30 days for the park to open to
snowmobile access Dec. 19. The ROD formalizes changes and
restrictions in snowmobile access to the Parks.
Jack Welch, President of the BlueRibbon Coalition, stated, "We are not
completely satisfied by the reduced levels of snowmobile access
available only through commercial tour operators, but we appreciate the
difficulty of the Park Service's management balance and are thankful that
the agency has decided to allow for some level of continued snowmobile
access to the Parks."
The final decision includes the following key components:
- Reduced daily snowmobile entries to YNP from 720 to 540
- Requirements for 100% BAT and 100% commercially guided
snowmobile access - Snowmobile and snowcoach travel over Sylvan Pass will be
allowed when full avalanche forecasting indicates travel through
the pass is safe. The pass will be closed to all travel when full
avalanche forecasting shows travel is unsafe, and will reopen to
travel only when weather conditions improve and full avalanche
forecasting indicates the danger has subsided. In addition, the
Park Service will work with the State of Wyoming. Park County,
Wyoming and the Town of Cody to seek a consensus approach
to avalanche mitigation by June 1, 2008, to provide alternative
ways for safe motorized oversnow access over Sylvan Pass. - Ceasing of maintenance of the Continental Divide Scenic Trail,
but allow trailering of snowmobiles between Flagg Ranch and
Moran Junction, and travel by non-BAT snowmobiles between
Flagg Ranch and West Yellowstone via National Forest System
trails. - Requirements for BAT snowmobiles for fishing access on
Jackson Lake.
Welch. "The Park Service has announced that a 'transition period' will
occur in the upcoming 2007-2008 season. During the transition, none of
the new restrictions will be implemented. We are also pleased that the
Grassy Lakes Road remains accessible with non-BAT sleds from Idaho
to Flagg Ranch, which is popular with some riders and essential to the
continued operations of the Ranch."
Other key aspects of management during the "transition period" are that
all entrances, including Sylvan Pass, will be open, all snowmobiles will
be BAT and commercially guided and total snowmobile entries will be
capped at 720 per day.
Welch continued, "We continue to closely monitor this issue and will
continue our efforts to defend reasonable snowmobile access to the
Parks."
For continued updates, please visit www.saveyellowstonepark.com.