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Delegation seeks plan to allow park snowmobiling

By Enterprise Staff

This document was published online on Friday, October 03, 2008

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Wyoming's congressional delegation is seeking a temporary emergency plan that would allow snowmobiles and snow coaches in Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks this winter.

The fate of winter use in the two parks remains uncertain after the Sept. 15 ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan rejected the Park Service's latest Winter Use Plan, Record of Decision and the associated rule.

The plan rejected by Sullivan would have allowed up to 540 commercially guided, cleaner and quieter Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles and 83 snow coaches per day to enter Yellowstone this winter, beginning Dec. 15.

In Grand Teton it would have allowed 40 unguided, BAT snowmobiles per day on Jackson Lake to facilitate ice fishing.

It also would have allowed 25 snowmobiles a day to travel on the Grassy Lake Road.

Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Rep. Barbara Cubin, all R-Wyo., have asked the Interior Department to put in place a temporary plan that would allow snowmobiles and snow coaches this winter.

“We urge you to take immediate administrative action on emergency rule-making for winter use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks,” the delegation wrote. “Gateway communities in our state are struggling to prepare for the winter season under the cloud of uncertainty created by recent legal battles over winter use.”

The delegation told the department “immediate action ... can help provide stability to these communities.

“We ask that you immediately move forward with plans to prepare and implement an interim plan for the 2008-09 winter season.”

They added this is a “crucial time for business owners and community leaders in Wyoming, and the Department of Interior has an opportunity to offer certainty and stability to these communities, despite the ongoing court battles.”

Yellowstone Superintendent Suzanne Lewis told Cody Club members Monday she is going forward with winter preparations as usual, despite Sullivan's ruling, so they are prepared for whatever action ultimately transpires.

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