Yellowstone To Open This Season – Legal Action Filed By State Of Wyoming

Shawn Tabb | December 1, 2009 | 0 Comments

BLUERIBBON COALITION LAND USE UPDATE!

With another winter fast approaching, the Wyoming Attorney General filed a new Yellowstone winter management legal action in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on November 20, 2009. The suit challenges the Park Service’s interim rule that would allow 318 snowmobiles and 78 snow coaches per day for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons while the Park Service comes up with a permanent plan.

As previously stated, this allocation of 318 snowmobiles is not sufficient to provide for a viable winter economy in gateway communities and many visitors could be denied access. It should be noted that the Park Service’s 2007 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) decision, referred to in Wyoming’s latest suit, determined that 540 was an appropriate number of daily entrances by snowmobiles. Jack Welch, BlueRibbon Special Project Consultant, stated, “People will be turned away this winter. The reason is not because there is a biological or scientific reason to do so – it is because winter visitors are caught in a game of politics and 318 is a convenient number between 0 and 540.”

The BlueRibbon Coalition and its pro-access partners will continue to review and monitor any legal actions that could affect snowmobile access to Yellowstone. In addition, we will continue our proactive work with the Park Service to provide a long-term winter recreation solution in Yellowstone.

Finally, there continues the possibility that a courtroom development could somehow change things. As always, we will continue to post updates at www.saveyellowstonepark.com.

In the end and perhaps most importantly, Yellowstone will open for the 2009-2010 season on December 15, 2009. Think snow!

Thanks in advance for your support,
Jack Welch
Special Project Consultant
BlueRibbon Coalition