Unfortunately, a rider to the Interior Appropriations bill will delay the Park Service ban for six months, until July 31, 2001. Snowmobiles use clearly does not fit this mandate. In Yellowstone, snowmobiles are a chronic source of stress for bison and other wildlife, struggling to conserve energy and survive Yellowstone s severe winters. Snowmobiles also have a severe impact on Yellowstone s air quality. Although they re outnumbered by cars 16 to 1, snowmobiles contribute up to 68 percent of the park s annual carbon monoxide emissions and up to 90 percent of its hydrocarbon pollution.
Snowmobiles are clearly inappropriate in the park.
The following are some sensible policies that would minimize the damage to soils, water quality, wildlife, and non-motorized recreationists by laying out clear parameters under which ORV use is permissible. Prohibit off trail ORV use and designate all ORV routes closed unless they are signed open. This will eliminate any confusion about where ORVs are permitted to operate. Designate ORV routes only where it has been shown that use of a route will not cause adverse environmental impacts. There must be strong standards on ORV routes to ensure sensitive areas are not damaged.