America’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park, has been making the headlines in recent years because of controversial winter-usage plans. The fight over the limits and regulation of snowmobiles and snowcoaches between conservationists and snowmobilers has been widely reported.
Currently the park has set limits that allow up to 318 snowmobiles and 78 multi-passenger snowcoaches per day. However, there are regulations that go along with these limits. Snowmobiles must be led by a commercial guide and utilize “best available technology” as well as run cleaner and quieter than standard snowmobiles. Snowcoaches must be led by a commercial guide as well. Without these allowances, access to Sylvan Pass and the East Entrance is made available.
Why the sudden interest in suggestions for winter-use for Yellowstone? At the end of the 2009-2010 season, these temporary regulations will disappear and no snowmobiles or snowcoaches will be granted access to the park. A new management plan for winter-usage needs to be established for access to continue. National Park Service is asking for your suggestions on how to balance both access and conservation during the winter season.
If you want to learn more about the issue (and live nearby), there will be a few open houses where you can learn about the issues and voice your suggestions for the future of Yellowstone’s winter usage.
- March 15: Cheyenne, Wyoming, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Little America Inn and Resort, 200 West Lincolnway.
- March 17: Washington, D.C., from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in The Old Post Office, 12th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
- March 22: Cody, Wyoming, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Cody Club room of the Cody Auditorium, at the corner of Beck Avenue & 13th Street.
The public has until the end of this month (March 30, 2010) to make suggestions. If you would like to provide a constructive suggestion, you can do so on the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website. For more information about Yellowstone’s winter-use policies, visit the park’s website.
