Yellowstone Gate (https://www.yellowstonegate.com/tag/winter-use/page/3/)
Yellowstone National Park managers passed a major milestone last week with the release of a final winter-use rule that appears to have gained widespread acceptance as a workable solution to 15 years of ongoing legal challenges over snowmobile travel in the park. But it's unlikely park planners will have much time to celebrate their success, as there is a large piece of the winter-use puzzle that remains unsolved. Continue Reading →
CODY, WYO. — After more than 15 years of contentious debate over snowmobile travel in Yellowstone National Park, the National Park Service on Tuesday released a final winter-use plan that appears to have a solid chance of avoiding legal challenges. The latest plan follows six previous failed attempts and a total of more than 1.1 million public comments. Environmental groups have said snowmobiles are loud, dirty and stressful for animals. Tour operators have said increasing travel restrictions have made it difficult to stay in business. Continue Reading →
The long slog toward resolving more than a decade of legal conflicts over snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park took another procedural step forward Wednesday, as the National Park Service issued a formal record of decision that marks the end of the planning process that will govern over-snow travel in the park. "I think we have a fighting chance," Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk said Thursday of the plan's prospects for avoiding or withstanding courtroom entanglements. Continue Reading →
The National Park Service on Tuesday released for public comment a proposed rule outlining the use of snowmobiles and snow coaches in Yellowstone National Park. The rule will eventually become the basis for how winter use is managed in Yellowstone. Similar rules proposed over the past decade have been subject to legal challenges from environmental organizations, tourism industry groups and state and local government agencies. Continue Reading →
Grand Teton National Park ranger naturalists will lead daily snowshoe hikes this winter, as well as monthly full moon hikes on select days each month through April. In addition to the regular daily snowshoe hikes from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, rangers will conduct guided snowshoe treks to Taggart Lake, and several full-moon snowshoe hikes, according to a statement released by the park's public affairs office. Continue Reading →
As another winter season in Yellowstone National Park begins, it might be understandable if some local residents are pessimistic about resolving long-standing disputes over snowmobiles in the park and other related winter-use issues. Local tourism workers and environmental advocates have had front-row seats to more than a decade of public debate and court challenges over the effects of snowmobiles in the park, as well as whether to maintain access over Sylvan Pass, at the park's East Entrance. But surprisingly, gateway community business leaders are expressing optimism—even satisfaction—with the direction park managers are taking on winter use. And not just because the most recent draft plan calls for continued snowmobile access and keeping Sylvan Pass open. Continue Reading →
Yellowstone National Park kicks off its winter season as scheduled Saturday, operating under the same management plan as last year. Beginning at 7 a.m. Dec. 15, visitors can travel the park’s interior roads on commercially guided snowmobiles or snow coaches from the North, West and South Entrances. Travel through the park’s East Entrance over Sylvan Pass is scheduled to begin Dec. 22, according to a statement released Wednesday by the park's public affairs office. Continue Reading →
Yellowstone National Park officials announced last week that the upcoming 2012-13 winter season in the park would follow an extension of existing rules used the previous year for managing snowmobiles and snow coach travel. The National Park service has also decided to reopen the public comment period for its winter-use plan for an additional 30 days. Continue Reading →
Gateway communities around Yellowstone National Park have been weighing in this week on the latest draft winter-use plan for managing snowmobiles and snow coaches in the park, with generally favorable reactions from snowmobile enthusiasts. The plan calls for managing traffic by "transportation events" and grouping snowmobile riders in clusters of 7-10 sleds per event. It allows for a total of 110 daily transportation events, with a cap of 50 events for snowmobile riders. One event each day from each gate is reserved for unpaid guides. Continue Reading →
Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk said Thursday that he believes the park's newly released draft winter-use plan is "complicated," but also "incredibly defensible," and that it will lead to a quieter, cleaner winter experience for visitors. If the plan survives expected court challenges — the last decade has seen constant legal wrangling over snowmobiles in the park — it will take effect in 2014, after a two-year transition period that follows current rules. Wenk and park planners will be discussing the plan later this month during public meetings in gateway communities around the park. Continue Reading →