BSA News: COMMENTS NEEDED AGAIN ON YELLOWSTONE SNOWMOBILES, October 2003

October 2003

COMMENTS NEEDED AGAIN ON YELLOWSTONE SNOWMOBILES

BACKGROUND

For two years, human-powered snowsports enthusiasts nationwide have fought to protect Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. We've come tantalizingly close to victory, and we now have one more chance to try to convince the National Park Service to do what it admits is best for our parks, their workers and visitors like you: Phase out snowmobiles and restore Yellowstone and Grand Teton to their natural quiet and their pristine environment.

AFTER WEEKS OF DELAYS, THE PARK SERVICE ON AUG. 27 ISSUED ITS PROPOSED RULE TO IMPLEMENT ITS ADD-MORE-SNOWMOBILES PLAN FOR YELLOWSTONE. IT'S GIVING US JUST 45 DAYS TO COMMENT, AND IT'S MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT THIS TIME FOR YOU TO LODGE YOUR CONCERNS.

This is the last chance to try to block the Park Service's absurd and harmful decision to keep snowmobiles in the parks. We have until Oct. 14 to comment. It's more important than ever to mount a resounding defense of Yellowstone before the coming snowmobile season opens on Dec. 17. See www.winterwildlands.org, where you can find background info, talking points, and more. The big difference this time is that the Park Service is NOT accepting comments via e-mail.

TAKE ACTION!

That means you must submit your letters via snail-mail, or through the Park Service's special Yellowstone rule website. Here's how:

* MAIL YOUR COMMENTS TO Planning Office, Yellowstone National Park, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.

* COMMENT VIA THE INTERNET through the special website at www.nps.gov/yell/rule [site no longer available] by filling out the various dialog boxes and then the comment box.

We also urge you to send a copy of your comments to us at Winter Wildlands via e-mail at info@winterwildlands.org, and that you send a copy as well to your member of Congress, whom you can find through the "Take Action" area of our website at www.winterwildlands.org.

RECENT EVENTS

Thanks to the hard work and boundless energy among those working for Yellowstone, we've made dramatic progress in the past year. An impressive 153 House members have co-sponsored the Yellowstone Protection Act, which still can't get a congressional hearing due to stonewalling by leaders of the House Resources Committee. Undeterred, we continue to press Congress to do what the Park Service still refuses to for Yellowstone, and those efforts are paying off. In a stunning vote in July, the House voted 210-210 on an amendment that would have phased snowmobiles out of Yellowstone. We actually had the vote won, 211-209, when time for the roll-call expired, but then House leaders pressured one of their own to switch his vote, killing the amendment on a tie vote. While disappointing, it shows activists like you are making a difference!

The Park Service says its pro-snowmobile plan imposes new restrictions on snowmobile use in Yellowstone, including requiring newer four-stroke engines. While these machines are somewhat cleaner and quieter, they still pose serious threats to Yellowstone, its wildlife, its workers, and skiers and other winter visitors. The Park Service acknowledged banning snowmobiles is best for the park, and admitted in its rule that human-powered winter visitors like you will bear the brunt of the noise and pollution that will still be allowed.

So tell the Park Service in your own words the snowcoach option is the only suitable plan for Yellowstone. It will allow all visitors to enjoy the parks, not just a select few. And it is the only plan that is legally and scientifically sound, and the only one that is supported by most Americans. Together you're making an impact, as we've seen this summer.

One more time, let's leave no doubt that Americans demand the best possible protection for the parks, for their wildlife, and for all visitors today and for generations to come.

Many thanks for your on-going support on this critical issue!