Speak Up: Snowmobiles In Yellowstone?

Interior Secretary Salazar asks for public comment before deciding whether to limit snowmobiles in Yellowstone

Right about now, Yellowstone's packed with RVs and station wagons all lining up to see a herd of buffalo, but the Interior Department is already thinking about winter. Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar announced plans to reduce the number of snowmobiles allowed in the park to 318 per day—less than half of the former daily limit of 720. But outfitters have complained that the cap will wound a winter economy dependent on snowmobile tours.

Now it's up to you: Salazar is seeking public comment over the next 45 days to determine whether to keep the current policy or move forward with plans to cap snowmobile use in Yellowstone. Conservationists contend that there should be as little usage as possible, but Wyoming's governor Dave Freudenthal disagrees.

“It would be nice if they sat down and said, ‘What really works for the folks who are wanting to visit, and the folks who are making a living up in Yellowstone?’"

Salazar seems to be shooting for a balance:

“The proposed rule would allow continued access to the park in winter while ensuring the protection of this national treasure and its wildlife while we develop a new long-term plan for winter use in the park,” Salazar said.

After the public comment period, Salazar's ruling will be permanent, so speak up now or forever hold your peace. Go here to leave comments for Salazar and co., and don't forget to tell BACKPACKER what you think in the comments section below.

—Ted Alvarez

Salazar calls for more public comment on the use of snowmobiles in Yellowstone (NPS)

Public comment encouraged in setting park's snowmobile limit (Powell Tribune)

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READERS COMMENTS

im interested in a snowmobile trip next saturday

Posted: Jan 16, 2010 john

Yellowstone is a national Park set aside for protection and enjoyment as a natural place. Snowmobiles in the winter allow citizens to enjoy the park without looking through a window, and without harming the park or the animals in any way. We do not need to reduce the number of carefully guided snowmobiles in Yellowstone.
Posted: Aug 08, 2009 Joel

Dave, You should be happy to know that the snowmobiles have been limited to only a portion of the roads that the automobiles use the rest of the year. They go no where else in the park other than the roads and even automobiles can pull further off to the side of the road than a snowmobile can without getting a ticket.

The snowmobiles allowed in the park must meet the Best Available Technology and are furnished by the local rental shops that have the guide service in the park available. There are no private snowmobiles allowed in the park even if they are BAT compliant so they truly are the cleanest available to see the park.

Geezer watch what you ask for because THE ORIGINAL draft proposal during the Clinton administration not only didn't have banning snowmobiles as the preferred option, it wasn't even one of the options. Now all those snowmobiles are banned and the only ones allowed didn't exist until 2002 with the automotive engines so the original sleds continue to be banned that were in existence during the Clinton administration.
Posted: Aug 07, 2009 YNP4everyone

Let's go back to the National Park Service's original proposal and ban individual snowmobiles in the park. This interim proposal of 318 per day could be a reasonable step in the right direction. Snowcoaches have proved their value, and visitors are enjoying them.
Posted: Aug 04, 2009 Geezer

If the snowmobile traffic is managed so that they are on existing thoroughfares and impact the park no more than do wheeled vehicles during the summer months, I don't see a problem. I would add that there should be a rule pertaining to noise level, but I suspect folks willing to go to the trouble to snowmobile in Yellowstone will tend to be more aware of their impact on the environment than the typical summer tourist.
Posted: Aug 01, 2009 Dave Pentecost

There doesn't need to be any further restrictions on the snowmobiles. The current rules make the park clean and quiet and because all must use a guide, there is little adverse reaction with the animals. The more limiting of the machines only keeps hard working families from enjoying the beauty of Yellowstone. The snowmobiles are only traveling on the same roads that the cars travel on so the snowmobiles have little impact on the park.
Posted: Jul 29, 2009 YNP4everyone

I live and work in Yellowstone. All snowmobilers have to have a guide, so there isn't any "jumping old mining cabins" as stated above. The truth is that Snowmobiles are never allowed off of the groomed roads. They are quieter and less polluting than the thousands of Harley Davidson motorcycles that come thru here every day during the summer. If you want to ban snowmobiles, then you must ban the motorcycles also.
Posted: Jul 29, 2009 Patrick

They should allow snowmobile trips definitely! But perhaps the number of trips, riders or limit the days which the snowmobiles can go. There does need to be a balance. Perhaps they can come up with a set of rules on acceptable behavior and have a ranger or voluteer police the snowmobiles or outfitters! I have ridden to old faithful in the Winter and it was breathtaking! We should not let the reckless spoil it for everyone.

Adventurous Barbara
www.riverbanksoutdoorstore.com
Posted: Jul 28, 2009 Adventurous Barbara

I am from out side Yellowstone and now live in Utah. I know there needs to be balance here. I have seen old mining cabins in Yellowstone used as a jump for reckless snowmobilers, but i also now many people who go in there leaving almost no trace.
this is part of the economy that provides Yellowstone with funds to manage it's resources. Our parks need protection and money - so we need to have balance.
Posted: Jul 28, 2009 Zedek