Ban on snowmobiles could be lifted

Under pressure from snowmobile manufacturers, the Bush administration may rescind a Clinton-era regulation banning snowmobiles from some national parks. The recently implemented snowmobile ban, which affects Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, was implemented after an intensive environmental study found that the recreational vehicles damaged the parks. Under the rule, which was published in the Federal Register in January and took effect on April 22, snowmobiles would be phased out over the next two winters and completely eliminated from the parks by 2004. A winter mass transit system would replace the vehicles. In December, the International Snowmobile Manufacturers' Association filed suit against the Interior Department, asking that the rule be set aside. As part of the settlement of that suit, the group is asking National Park Service officials to complete another environmental impact study before 2003. Jon Catton, spokesman for The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a nonprofit conservation organization, says a new study is not needed. "Yellowstone needs protection now, not later after another one of these endless studies delays responding to the problem," Catton said. The problems caused by snowmobiles range from sickness from exhaust fumes to forcing wildlife out of their native habitats. "There were 22 public hearings and 65,000 citizens from all over the country commented on future plans for managing Yellowstone in the winter, and the clear majority favored phasing out snowmobiles," Catton continued. "There are tens of thousands of Americans that took time to participate in the process that are now on the sidelines looking to see if the snowmobile industry will take precedence over the will of the people." Currently, attorneys for the Interior and Justice departments are studying the proposal. U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer in Cheyenne, Wyo., would have to approve any settlement agreement.