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: 01/15/2009
by Jack Welch,
BRC Special Projects Consultant
On December 15, 2008, the gates opened to another season of snowmobile access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This access is being administered in accordance with the Wyoming court order directing the National Park Service (NPS) to essentially reinstate the 2004 Rule, which allowed for snowmobile and snowcoach access in Yellowstone and Grand Teton this winter.
Under the NPS Rule published on December 9, 2008, the Parks will operate under this reinstated rule for this winter season, providing visitors, area businesses, and park employees with a plan they can count on for this year. The reinstated 2004 rule will also allow the NPS time to analyze public comment received on the temporary plan and in conducting a long-term planning process for winter use in the Parks.
Under the reinstated 2004 rule, motorized oversnow access will be allowed this winter as it has for the past four winters. Up to 720 commercially guided, Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles and up to 78 snowcoaches will be allowed per day in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone's East Entrance and Sylvan Pass will be open for motorized and non-motorized oversnow travel, subject to weather and safety constraints. Trail and off-road use of snowmobiles and snowcoaches has always been, and will continue to be, prohibited.
The 2004 rule also addresses snowmobile access in Grand Teton and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, including access along Grassy Lake Road and on Jackson Lake for licensed anglers.
No story about Yellowstone snowmobiling would be complete without updated information on the unending efforts of anti-access preservationists to eliminate it altogether. This story is no different. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) and National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) continue to pull out every conceivable legal stop, which currently includes filing for reconsideration and an amended order before the Wyoming court, seeking "limited remand" from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and even filing a new lawsuit in the D.C. District Court challenging the December 2008 Rule. The ISMA-ACSA-BRC legal team is participating as needed in these developments. Perhaps the shortest summary is that snowmobiling in the Parks is occurring as we speak.
In closing, I understand that the fight over Yellowstone has been a long, contentious and complicated battle. Please remember that the fact Yellowstone remains open to snowmobiles represents one of the most profound victories over the anti-access movement in our lifetime. Enjoy the victory and make your plans to come and enjoy Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks this winter on a snowmobile!
For current information on items covered in this summary, please visit our dedicated website at www.saveyellowstonepark.com
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: 01/15/2009
by Jack Welch,
BRC Special Projects Consultant
On December 15, 2008, the gates opened to another season of snowmobile access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This access is being administered in accordance with the Wyoming court order directing the National Park Service (NPS) to essentially reinstate the 2004 Rule, which allowed for snowmobile and snowcoach access in Yellowstone and Grand Teton this winter.
Under the NPS Rule published on December 9, 2008, the Parks will operate under this reinstated rule for this winter season, providing visitors, area businesses, and park employees with a plan they can count on for this year. The reinstated 2004 rule will also allow the NPS time to analyze public comment received on the temporary plan and in conducting a long-term planning process for winter use in the Parks.
Under the reinstated 2004 rule, motorized oversnow access will be allowed this winter as it has for the past four winters. Up to 720 commercially guided, Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles and up to 78 snowcoaches will be allowed per day in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone's East Entrance and Sylvan Pass will be open for motorized and non-motorized oversnow travel, subject to weather and safety constraints. Trail and off-road use of snowmobiles and snowcoaches has always been, and will continue to be, prohibited.
The 2004 rule also addresses snowmobile access in Grand Teton and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, including access along Grassy Lake Road and on Jackson Lake for licensed anglers.
No story about Yellowstone snowmobiling would be complete without updated information on the unending efforts of anti-access preservationists to eliminate it altogether. This story is no different. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) and National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) continue to pull out every conceivable legal stop, which currently includes filing for reconsideration and an amended order before the Wyoming court, seeking "limited remand" from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and even filing a new lawsuit in the D.C. District Court challenging the December 2008 Rule. The ISMA-ACSA-BRC legal team is participating as needed in these developments. Perhaps the shortest summary is that snowmobiling in the Parks is occurring as we speak.
In closing, I understand that the fight over Yellowstone has been a long, contentious and complicated battle. Please remember that the fact Yellowstone remains open to snowmobiles represents one of the most profound victories over the anti-access movement in our lifetime. Enjoy the victory and make your plans to come and enjoy Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks this winter on a snowmobile!
For current information on items covered in this summary, please visit our dedicated website at www.saveyellowstonepark.com
Link
