"This plan will ban the old, two-stroke snowmobiles from these parks in favor of new, quieter machines that cut pollution by 90 percent," Wade said. "This plan has a number of firsts: For the first time, it will require guides for snowmobiles in order to protect wildlife; for the first time it will closely monitor the effects of snowmobiles on the parks; and for the first time it will set strict daily limits on the number of snowmobiles allowed in the parks."

Critical elements of the ROD include: reducing the numbers of snowmobiles through daily limits; implementing best available technology requirements for snowmobiles; implementing an adaptive management program that will look at short and long-term effects of management actions and implement necessary changes; requiring guided access for both snowmobiles and snowcoaches; calling for a reasonable phase-in period; developing a new generation of snowcoaches; and funding to effectively manage the winter use program. Implementation of all the critical elements will address the adverse impacts identified in the November 2000 Record of Decision and the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).

"Protecting visitor enjoyment, visitor and employee health and safety, air quality, natural soundscapes, and wildlife continue to be the goals for winter use at Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway," Wade said.

The Department of the Interior agreed to do the SEIS under the terms of a Settlement Agreement to a lawsuit brought by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, the State of Wyoming, and others, asking that the November 2000 Record of Decision be set aside. In the Settlement Agreement, the preparation of the SEIS was deemed necessary to further the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by soliciting more public comment on the earlier decision and alternatives that would maintain protection of park resources. Additional snowmobile technology was considered, as well as other new or updated substantive information not available at the time of the earlier decision.

Over the course of two winter use seasons, the components of the new winter use plan will be implemented. Beginning the winter of 2003-2004, daily limits will be implemented for a total of 1,140 snowmachines for the three parks (950 in Yellowstone). *All entries (commercial and non-commercial) into Yellowstone National Park will be by reservation only, and eighty percent of all snowmobile entries will be commercially guided. Commercially guided snowmobiles will be required to be best available technology. A comprehensive monitoring program will be part of the adaptive management program.

During the winter of 2004-2005, all snowmobile entries into Yellowstone National Park will be guided and will be required to be best available technology. Daily limits will be retained, and the comprehensive monitoring program will continue.

By the winter of 2005-2006, changes could be implemented to address impacts identified under the adaptive management program during the previous winters.

"The winter use issue in the three parks has been a focused and-at times-controversial issue, but throughout the process we have remained committed to managing winter use in the three parks to ensure that the public activities we do allow conserve park resources and values for future generations. Through the critical elements of the ROD, we can achieve those goals," Wade noted.

The Record of Decision is available by writing: Record of Decision Winter Use Plan, Planning Office, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190. The document can also be found by accessing www.nps.gov/grte/winteruse/winteruse.htm.

*Details on how the reservation system will be implemented will be provided in a later news release.

Information provided by the NPS

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