Yellowstone snowmobiling to decrease
Snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by David Long.
Quieter times will soon be upon the oldest national park in the country, thanks to a monumental decision last month by a federal court to throw out a Bush Administration decision to allow an excessive number of snowmobiles per day in the beloved park.
In September, a federal court ruled in favor of protecting the air, wildlife and natural quiet of Yellowstone National Park from noisy, polluting snowmobiles. The court ruled that that the Bush Administration’s decision authorizing 540 snowmobiles per day in Yellowstone National Park — a doubling of current snowmobile use — violates the fundamental responsibility of the National Park Service to protect the clean air, wildlife, and natural quiet of national parks for the benefit of all visitors.
Peace and quiet for Yellowstone's animals
This decision will restore Yellowstone’s profound winter quiet and help protect bison and other wildlife that were harassed by the traffic of snowmobiles. During winter months, animals in the park are already under stress from the harsh winter conditions. Often, snowmobiles come uncomfortably close to these animals, such as the bison that congregate in areas where the vehicles are allowed to pass.
This is an important victory for Yellowstone and all of America’s national parks. Yellowstone is an embodiment of one of America’s great ideas – that our cherished lands must be conserved and protected. The Court’s opinion reaffirms this principle.
Massive public backing
During the past ten years, over half a million Americans sent comments to the National Park Service concerning Yellowstone’s winter management, making it the most publicly-commented-on issue in the history of the national parks.
Tens of thousands of our own members were part of this effort, through taking actions through our WildAlert messages.
The Wilderness Society and other groups, such as the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and Winter Wildlands Alliance were all part of this latest ruling, which was the result of our collective law suit challenging the Bush Administration’s failure to protect Yellowstone’s resources and values.
The Wilderness Society will continue to work with our coalition partners to stay engaged in the Yellowstone snowmobiling issue. The next step will be ensuring that the victorious court ruling remains intact and is instituted appropriately by the Park Service.
A consistent 4-to-1 majority has favored accessing the park by snowcoach instead of snowmobile. Enjoyment of Yellowstone by snowcoaches — which are quieter, slower, cleaner, and less disruptive of other visitors — will remain widely available and ensure the park is proteceted for future generations to enjoy.
For more information:
See Judge Sullivan's ruling.
About Josh Hicks
Josh Hicks joined The Wilderness Society in early 2007 after completing a six-month internship with TWS’ BLM Action Center and serving as a Program Specialist with the American Water Works Association.
Over the past few years, Josh... More about Josh Hicks
Legacy Comments
Snowmobiles are NOT the problem!
Hey people, snowmobiles are hardly the problem at Yellowstone. Study the facts and you'll see that snowmobiles account for less than 1% of the pollution in Yellowstone annually. How many snowmobiles enter the park during the winter and how many vehicles enter the park in only 1 month during summer? Anybody know those number??? I DO! Nowadays, snowmobiles get better fuel economy than most vehicles, especially RV's! And what about all of the Harley riders who enter the park? No pollution or noise from them? SNOWMOBILES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM!!! I completely agree that pollution and noise should be addressed, but focus on the problem, not on a recreational group that is irrelevant to the problem. After you crack down on the amount of vehicles, type of vehicles, and emmissions of those vehicles entering the park during the summer (which IS the problem!), then you can address snowmobiles. Really people, wake up and see what the problem is.
Tranquility for Yellowstone; Snowmobiling to decrease
Though the article is older, I just discovered it here and am thrilled to know this, because I voted by sending a letter for the decrease of snowmobiles in Yellowstone through the NPCA just this past summer in the hope that this action would come to be. It's fantastic news!
really
have u even reasearched both sides of the yellowstone argument? i think not because you would not have been so ignornat as to write down that vote. Have you been in Yellowstone in the winter since 2004? Come on out here n learn the truth. You are helping these groups take away our rights and your rights too! thats ridiculous! you need to educate yourself on issued b4 u take either side! i wonder wat warm sunny coastal climate you live in for i seriously doubt you have ever left that beach!
Snowmobiles in Yellowstone
As with most environmental groups and their members, they obviously have more money than brains. The use of present day best technology snowmobiles in the Park have far less impact than most automobiles. They are quiet and give off virtually no odor. I wish I could say the same about the packs of Harley Davidson motorcycles that travel thru the park in summer. I can't speak for the animals, but their noise certainly disturbs me. Keep in mind, the park was established for the "enjoyment of all". Yellowstone is the busiest national park we have. If we significantly reduce the number of summer vehicles in the park, as some suggest, the entire National Park Service will suffer a significant financial blow, since all entry fees go to a central pot. I doubt the Park Service could survive without the fees generated by Yellowstone. So, to all activist environmentalists out there, be careful what you ask for. You may get it, and I doubt that you will like the actual outcome.
More Facts
http://www.snowmobile.ca/mha_internal/article.php?sid=325
This is a summary of the EIS that was done. I suggest everyone read it. This is also an older study before quieter, cleaner machines were really being mainstreamed. The industry didn't see its first clean 2-Stroke until 2003 and it wasn't regulated until 2006. Once again, by 2012 even the "clean 2 strokes" from almost 10 years ago will be outdated. This study doesn't account for that and it still makes a strong arguement that snowmobiles are not as bad as people think. The snowmobile industry is headed in the right direction, and from what I see from summer use in the park, the park is not.
P.S. I am working on a degree in Parks and Recreation Management and my goal is to be involved in the Forest Service, not the Park Service. However many of their ideals are the same. I am an environmentalist, I love the outdoors, and I am exicted to see cleaner technology coming. I want our parks and wilderness areas to be there for my children and grandchildren. If everyone worked together we could use, enjoy and protect or parks and wilderness areas with much more effectiveness. Rather then banning people, we should be working together to solve these issues. Believe it or not, we can all coexist.
Open Your Eyes 3
http://www.snowmobile.org/facts_ece.asp
These are some fun facts for everyone one snowmobile use and wildlife.
I had written a report on the subject a while back and I am having trouble finding the Environmental Impact Reports done by the independent researchers. When I locate them I'll post them. One of the studies was a 3 year project that found little to warrant banning snowmobile use.
Open Your Eyes 2
I just noticed another comment I would like to respond to. Snowmobiles do not tear up the park. Walking, horse and bike trails are more damaging then any snowmobile trail. First snowmobiles are limited to the roads in the park. So get your facts straight, they aren't tearing up anything. Second, snowmobiles, if allowed off the roads would cause much less damage then any other form of travel. First the snow creates a buffer zone, most of the time a sled will never actually have contact with the ground. Second snowmobile at the worst create 1/4 the pounds per square inch of any hiker, biker or horseback rider. Anybody who snowmobiles will tell you that most snowmobile trails are no recognizeable in the summer. However, I can follow and hiking, biking or horseback trail with my eyes closed because of the damage they create. I am not saying snowmobiling should be unregulated and everybody can do what they want. But snowmobilers have been made into this damaging, disrespectful, polluting stereotype when that couldn't be farther from the truth. Another thing that bothers me, every picture showing snowmobiles in the park that I see are of old technology sleds. Today's snowmobiles, or at least most of today's snowmobiles(by 2012 it will be all new snowmobiles) will have reduced they're carbon emissions by 80% over models produced in 2005 by EPA regulation. And those are the snowmobiles that are currently allowed in the park. So these old pictures are no longer relevant in the arguement.
Open you eyes
Anybody wanting to close the park to snowmobiles due to noise, pollution and "disturbing the peace" need to take a closer look at the problem. Snowmobile use has been greatly reduced and limited to much cleaner 4 Strokes(even though today's two strokes are just as clean). Snowmobilers are just as much environmentalists as anyone else. Snowmobiling is a way to get out into nature, enjoy the animals and scenery and have fun. Most snowmobilers will tell you they are respectful of the wildlife in the park. As a snowmobiler and a hunter I can say this. I have seen countless animals run from me while walking through the woods whether hunting or just hiking but animals running from me on a snowmobile are far and few between. What needs to be looked at is the non-regulated amount of cars, SUV's, RV's and other vehicles that go through the park in the summer causing traffic jams, pollution and noise. Or the countless visitors who leave their vehicles running on the side of road to go take pictures of animals they shouldn't be getting close to. A summer use plan is what needs to be looked at, not a winter use plan. The snowmobile industry is getting cleaner, quieter, and works to protect our wilderness areas. Yet they are the ones being pushed out of the park. Why are these same visitor limits and regulations not being looked at for the summer? Anybody who is opposed to snowmobiling in Yellowstone is not educated on the direction of the industry, the people who are involved in the industry, and the facts. The reason snowmobiling hasn't been banned in the park is because for years Environmental Impact Studies have shown little effect from snowmobiling on the Ecosystem. The days of smoke filled pictures of snowmobiles "Polluting" are coming to an end as well because today's sleds are incredibly clean and getting cleaner.
It is my feeling the park
It is my feeling the park should be closed completely to the public. My reason is because people don't show the animals the respect they deserve.
They come in with guns ready to kill. They scare them. Don't have respect for the land.
These animals are there to be protected and don't seem to be.
This is a start to making them more comfortable, but where man is destruction always follows.
I believe the animals should be able to live here in their natural habitat free of fear and man.
The parks should remain open.
The parks should remain open. Not all people carry guns or shoot animals. The majority go to see the parks and the animals in it, to relax from their busy world. The people that do bring guns should be banned(or should NOT be allowed to bring their guns). We are the animals only hope for survival in the wild(forests). The animals should be allowed to stayed in their own habitat away from fear of man.
The parks should remain open.
The parks should remain open. Not all people carry guns or shoot animals. The majority go to see the parks and the animals in it, to relax from their busy world. The people that do bring guns should be banned(or should be allowed to bring their guns). We are the animals only hope for survival in the wild(forests). The animals should be allowed to stayed in their own habitat away from fear of man.
I meant should NOT not
I meant should NOT not should. Sorry
Yellowstone snowmobiling
I was doing research on conservation associations and came upon The Wilderness Society's website and greatly admire the work that you do. I live in Minnesota where we greatly appreciate, and work to protect, our natural areas of beauty. However, I felt I had to say something about the snowmobiling in Yellowstone issue. My husband and I, and my brother and his wife, were torn about the issue - understanding both sides, to a point - so we decided to see for ourselves. We took a trip to West Yellowstone in February, 2005, and reserved a one day guided trip into the park. Our group was limited to 12 machines, which were required to be the quieter, cleaner 4-strokes, and our guide was a seasonal Yellowstone Park ranger. We had two destinations to choose from, by park road only, nothing off-road; one was to the Canyon area, and the other to the Old Faithful area. Our speed was controlled by the guide, and was never more than 15 to 20 miles an hour. When we came upon any wildlife - bison and elk - we were allowed to get off the machines to take pictures, but we couldn't leave the road. And when we came upon a group of bison walking on the road, we had to pull over and turn off our engines until they passed. None of these animals displayed any fear or consternation at our presence, they completely ignored us.
My dilemma over the importance given this issue is that I have been to Yellowstone in the summer many, many times, and it is a zoo! There are thousands and thousands of cars, cars pulling trailers, motorcycles and RVs jamming the park roads from morning until night. There are no regulations governing dirty exhaust, noisy engines, or the sheer numbers of these vehicles - and no one seems to be on the soapbox about this problem. And what about the hundreds of tourists who jump out of their cars (some even blocking traffic), leave their engines running and walk into the meadows to take "better and closer" pictures? The animals do seem bothered by this activity, some even charging in response.
My point is, those who want to ride snowmobiles in the Park are being portrayed as the bad guys - and they aren't. We love Yellowstone and our trip that day was wonderful. We respected the regulations required and had a once in a lifetime experience. Unfortunately, there was a time when snowmobiling in the park was completely unregulated and some chose to behave badly - going off road and chasing animals - but those days are over. I'm asking that we all fight just as hard to protect Yellowstone all year, not just in the winter from a select group.
Snowmobiling/Yellowstone, Etc.
Living in Colorado for almost 30 years, I questioned the need to have the snowmobilers in backcountry period. Again, my concern has always been for the animals, wildlife, etc. So thank you Wilderness Society for your support in helping in this area of our Country.
Another area of concern for me are all the the people who live on the boundaries of the National Forests which no longer allow the "every day person" access to places some of us older adults have had the priviledge to visit. These land owners are in control of what is also happening to the backcountry wildlife animals, bears, etc. AND i DO NOT AGREE WITH THE KILLING OF THESE ANIMALS TO SAVE ANOTHER PERSONS HOME OR SO CALLED PROTECTING THEIR HOME. These people are living on the edge of these animals "left over" territory.
We cut off the animals in any form, we are cutting off our own lives....Thanks for listening!! Jenifer
Yes! It is all about respect!
Yes! It is all about respect! Respect to the wilderness and its inhabitants is what our national Parks are SUPPOSE to be about, why they were set aside. And with the population growth, development and lack of conscience that more and more people seem to show now a days, it is important that we hold very strong to protecting and preserving as much wilderness possible and keeping out as much man made disturbance as possible for the natural peace that is intended by God for all.
I am so happy about this.
I am so happy about this. Tranquility will return for the animals and any humans that venture into the park in the winter. This destroys the animals. The noise from snowmobils is horrible and that is just from one, not a group. They don't have the right to do this. Animals need a vacation from the droves of people that visit the park all summer. Snowmobiles tear up things especially where the snow is light in depth. This is a judge after my own heart. Thank you , thank you , thank you.
Stopping Snowmobiling in National Parks
I helped fight for this.
We can all rejoice!
The health of the environment and wildlife will be considered again by lawmakers. The reign of terror is almost over!
Pamela did you really say
Pamela did you really say Reign of terror?
My god you tree huggers are insane.
I guess you think shooting a bear is as bad as flying a jet into the twin towers.
Stopping Snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park
I was priviledged to participate in Yellowstone on Skis last January, where I traveled in Snowcats along the park roads to the Snowlodge at Old Faithful and was led by Julianne Baker (naturalist and Yellowstone enthusiast) through the winter wonderland of Yellowstone. Each of 4 days were spent visiting different trails in and around my favorite areas of the park. It was magical, and the wildlife was spectacular. Daily we would see controlled groups of snowmobilers led by a guide on the roads in the part enjoying and enduring the harse winter cold to venture out to see wildlife. The snowmobilers were there to see the bison and elk throughout the park, however they couldn't witness the quiet that Yellowstone can offer as only someone hiking or skiing can ,and they couldn't see the martin that we saw hunting along the river. I know that not everyone can ski, and that snowmobiling is a way for them to venture out, but I think that the elk and bison and wolves of the park have enough stress just trying to get through the winter without having to even hear the drone of snowmobiles daily. The snowcats from the park can take groups out to view the animals with less trauma and noise and annoyance, so I recommend discontinuing use of snowmobiles in the park.