On Monday, Nov. 3, the Environmental Assessment (EA) on continued winter motorized access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks was released for public review and comment. First announced on Oct. 2, it is this EA process that will determine options that would authorize over-snow access, including snowmobiles to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks for the next three winters.
The EA can be reviewed at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/. The comment period will only be 15 days. The previous plan was rejected by a federal judge in Washington, D.C., in Sept. With no plan, neither snowmobiles nor snowcoaches could be allowed in the parks this winter.
The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) is reviewing the draft EA and its preferred alternative of only 318 snowmobiles allowed in the Yellowstone Park per day. BRC plans to provide comments on the EA and recommendations for comments to meet the deadline of Nov. 17, 2008. Please note the goal of the National Park Service is to have a final implementing rule from the EA in effect prior to the scheduled Park opening on Dec. 15, 2008.
After reviewing the 255 page EA, Jack Welch, BRC Special Projects Consultant, stated, "I am pleased that the Park Service is offering a solution for the challenges presented by the upcoming season. BlueRibbon remains committed to a long-term solution that will allow for reasonable snowmobile access to Yellowstone in the winter."
Welch continued, "Remember, in the last 40 years, the Park has opened its gates to snowmobiles every season. I am sure Yellowstone will open its gates this season too. The main question is at what level snowmobiles will be allowed to access Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks this season. The EA process is one of the important steps in that determination."
For further updates on access to Yellowstone this winter, please visit and bookmark: http://www.saveyellowstonepark.com/.
Written comments can be dropped off in person or mailed to: National Park Service Management Assistants Office, PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax or e-mail.
For the easiest access, go directly to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/. to read the EA and make a comment. Use the pull-down menu on "Choose a Park" to select Yellowstone, click on "Plans/Document Open for Comment," click on the link to "2008 Winter Plan Use Plans Environmental Assessment*" and then, look down the left-hand column for a link.
There is a second opportunity to comment on the proposed rule concerning winter use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The proposed rule is now out for public review and comment. The rulemaking process is in addition to, but is separate from the EA alternatives noted above.
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register, and is open for a 15-day public review and comment period through Nov. 20, 2008. The proposed rule and an electronic form to submit written comments are available at http://www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp. You can find the proposed rule by searching the "Documents Open for Public Comment" and selecting the National Park Service as the agency. Written comments may be submitted through the Web site, in person or by mail. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax or e-mail. All public comments on the proposed rule must be received or postmarked by midnight, Eastern Time, Nov. 20, 2008.
After the comment period and analysis, the Region of the National Park Service would sign a Finding of No Significant Action (FONSI) containing details of that decision and the new rule implemented.
The National Park Service expects to have a decision regarding winter use management by the Dec. 15, 2008, scheduled start to the winter season. We remain confident that Yellowstone will open on time with a variety of winter access including cross-country skiing, snowcoach, snowmobile and snowshoe. For more info about winter activities, both in Yellowstone Park and outside it, please visit http://www.destinationyellowstone.com/, or call the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce at 406-646-7701.