Snowmobile Plan for Yellowstone Ignores Environmental Impacts

For at least a decade, the limit on snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park has been the subject of a pitched battle between conservationists and snowmobile advocates. The National Park Service (NPS) has announced a limit on snowmobile use in Yellowstone. As expected, NPS will allow 540 snowmobiles per day, an amount close to double the daily average from the previous winter.

On Nov. 20, The director of the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service announced the policy in a Record of Decision. The new policy will take effect beginning in December 2008, just as President Bush is leaving office.

Shortly before leaving office in January 2001, the Clinton administration banned all snowmobile use in Yellowstone. The Bush administration was able to delay implementation until a federal court invalidated the ban in 2004 in a case brought by the snowmobile industry.

For the past few winters, NPS had a temporary cap of 720 snowmobiles in place but has been promising to finalize a limit. NPS has delayed a decision while preparing a final environmental impact statement (FEIS), as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. (Click here for a summary.)

NPS published the FEIS on Sept. 25. NPS's decision adopts one of seven policy alternatives examined in the FEIS. Other options include capping snowmobile use at 1,024 per day, banning snowmobile use in favor of larger but less numerous snowcoaches, and banning all "oversnow vehicles" such as snowmobiles and snowcoaches. NPS calls the ban on all oversnow vehicles the "environmentally preferred alternative."

The most notable difference between the chosen alternative of 540 snowmobiles per day and the more environmentally friendly alternatives (the ban on snowmobiles and the ban on all oversnow vehicles) is the effect on air quality. A ban on all oversnow vehicles would result in no emissions, and a ban on snowmobiles would lead to "negligible" emissions from snowcoaches. NPS classifies the adverse impacts related to the 540 snowmobile limit as "moderate."

In March, NPS released a draft version of the environmental impact statement for public comment. Commenters overwhelmingly supported the alternative to ban snowmobiles but allow snowcoaches.

Conservation groups support an outright ban on snowmobile use in Yellowstone. Advocates believe snowmobiles cause air pollution and excess noise that jeopardize the health of the Yellowstone environment.

The snowmobile industry has led the charge against a ban on snowmobile use in Yellowstone. The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association said in a statement, "Continued snowmobile use in portions of Yellowstone and Grand Teton road systems have no adverse impacts on Park Resources, including: Air Quality, Wildlife, or Soundscapes."

Conservation groups expressed disappointment with NPS's new policy. The Wilderness Society derided NPS's decision, saying it would "swing the gates of Yellowstone National Park open — beyond this winter season — to more, not fewer snowmobiles, despite the Agency's own scientific conclusions that an increase in snowmobile use above the levels of the past three winters will lead to more noise, dirtier air and frequent disturbance of wildlife."

In October, a bipartisan group of 86 House members (none from the Yellowstone region) wrote to NPS asking for a ban on snowmobile use in favor of snowcoaches. The representatives wrote, "The agency's studies have repeatedly demonstrated that the best way to protect the health and safety of Yellowstone's visitors, staff, wildlife, and national resources while promoting more affordable and educational access, is to phase out snowmobile use entirely."

In March, seven former National Park Service directors wrote to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne opposing expanded snowmobile use in Yellowstone.

Based on figures from previous winters, the new limit may not have a practical effect on snowmobile activity in the park. According to NPS, average daily snowmobile use last winter was about 290.

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