Contacts
Jack Welch, Special Projects Consultant, BlueRibbon Coalition
- Phone: (303) 279-8436 or Cell (303) 324-7185
- Fax: (303) 279-8214
- Email: brjack_w@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#JackW
Date: 10/29/2008
by Jack Welch, Special Projects Consultant
BlueRibbon Coalition
As I write this update, it appears that there will be continued snowmobile access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. While we are not certain as to specific details, the realistically available options on the table all provide for some form of continued snowmobiling in the Parks.
One option is a new Environmental Assessment (EA) process and proposed rule. This EA process was announced on October 2nd and will include options that would authorize some over-snow access, including snowmobiles, to the Parks this winter. This EA will be made available for public review and comment in November. In response to this announcement, even the vigorous snowmobile opponents at the National Parks Conservation Association have stated they would support daily entry of up to 260 best available technology snowmobiles through such a rule. The National Park Service (NPS) has announced its intent to have the final decision from the EA in effect prior to the scheduled Park opening on December 15, 2008.
The EA arises from the ongoing legal battles over the 2007 Winter Use Rule, and it is possible that the Courts will offer additional direction potentially allowing for increased snowmobile access. You will recall that anti-access groups challenged the 2007 Rule in federal court in the District of Columbia, and they prevailed in that case through the September 15, 2008 Order issued by District Judge Emmett Sullivan. The Order vacated the entire Winter Use Rule, apparently including the snow coach provisions as well as those allowing 540 best available technology snowmobile per day to enter the Parks. The Order did not specify an interim remedy but apparently has only remanded the rule to the National Park Service, which seems largely why the NPS has chosen to undertake the aforementioned EA process.
You will also recall that pro-access forces challenged the 2007 Rule as being overly restrictive of snowmobiling. Those cases, filed by the State of Wyoming and Park County and joined by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA), and the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), are still pending in federal court in Wyoming. Those cases were argued in Cheyenne on the same day Judge Sullivan issued his Order. ISMA-ACSA-BRC have asked the Court to join in striking down the 2007 Rule, but to establish an interim remedy reinstating the temporary rule that preceded the 2007 Winter Use Rule and allowed for up to 720 recreational best available technology snowmobiles per day in Yellowstone.
In closing, it appears that at least 260, and as many 720, daily snowmobile entries will be authorized to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks for this season. Remember, in the last forty years, the Parks have opened their gates to snowmobiles every season, and I am hopeful that they will open their gates this season too. The main question is what option will be in place for the schedule to open December 15, 2008. For further updates on the litigation, please visit and bookmark our dedicated Yellowstone website (www.saveyellowstonepark.com). I hope you will plan to visit and enjoy Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks this winter.
Link
Jack Welch, Special Projects Consultant, BlueRibbon Coalition
- Phone: (303) 279-8436 or Cell (303) 324-7185
- Fax: (303) 279-8214
- Email: brjack_w@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#JackW
Date: 10/29/2008
by Jack Welch, Special Projects Consultant
BlueRibbon Coalition
As I write this update, it appears that there will be continued snowmobile access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. While we are not certain as to specific details, the realistically available options on the table all provide for some form of continued snowmobiling in the Parks.
One option is a new Environmental Assessment (EA) process and proposed rule. This EA process was announced on October 2nd and will include options that would authorize some over-snow access, including snowmobiles, to the Parks this winter. This EA will be made available for public review and comment in November. In response to this announcement, even the vigorous snowmobile opponents at the National Parks Conservation Association have stated they would support daily entry of up to 260 best available technology snowmobiles through such a rule. The National Park Service (NPS) has announced its intent to have the final decision from the EA in effect prior to the scheduled Park opening on December 15, 2008.
The EA arises from the ongoing legal battles over the 2007 Winter Use Rule, and it is possible that the Courts will offer additional direction potentially allowing for increased snowmobile access. You will recall that anti-access groups challenged the 2007 Rule in federal court in the District of Columbia, and they prevailed in that case through the September 15, 2008 Order issued by District Judge Emmett Sullivan. The Order vacated the entire Winter Use Rule, apparently including the snow coach provisions as well as those allowing 540 best available technology snowmobile per day to enter the Parks. The Order did not specify an interim remedy but apparently has only remanded the rule to the National Park Service, which seems largely why the NPS has chosen to undertake the aforementioned EA process.
You will also recall that pro-access forces challenged the 2007 Rule as being overly restrictive of snowmobiling. Those cases, filed by the State of Wyoming and Park County and joined by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA), and the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), are still pending in federal court in Wyoming. Those cases were argued in Cheyenne on the same day Judge Sullivan issued his Order. ISMA-ACSA-BRC have asked the Court to join in striking down the 2007 Rule, but to establish an interim remedy reinstating the temporary rule that preceded the 2007 Winter Use Rule and allowed for up to 720 recreational best available technology snowmobiles per day in Yellowstone.
In closing, it appears that at least 260, and as many 720, daily snowmobile entries will be authorized to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks for this season. Remember, in the last forty years, the Parks have opened their gates to snowmobiles every season, and I am hopeful that they will open their gates this season too. The main question is what option will be in place for the schedule to open December 15, 2008. For further updates on the litigation, please visit and bookmark our dedicated Yellowstone website (www.saveyellowstonepark.com). I hope you will plan to visit and enjoy Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks this winter.
Link