Yellowstone and Grand Teton to Consider Options on New Temporary Winter Use Plan

Date: October 1, 2008
Contact: Al Nash, 307-344-2015
Contact: Jackie Skaggs, 307-739-3393

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Al Nash / Stacy Vallie
[phone]

Grand Teton National Park
P.O. Box 170
Moose, WY 83012
Jackie Skaggs
[phone]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 1, 2008 – 1PM MDT    08-084

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YELLOWSTONE/GRAND TETON NEWS RELEASE
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Yellowstone And Grand Teton To Consider Options
On New Temporary Winter Use Plan

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are considering all legal options on a temporary plan for oversnow vehicle travel this winter.

The latest winter use plan and regulations allowing limited, commercially guided snowmobile and snowcoach travel were rejected by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on September 15.  Park managers and staff members have been carefully looking at options that would authorize oversnow access this winter in these parks.  

The National Park Service is beginning preparation of an environmental assessment and a proposed rule, which will be made available for a public review and comment period by early November.  The National Park Service intends to have a final decision effective prior to the scheduled December 15 opening of the winter use season.
 
Specifics on the use of snowmobiles, snowcoaches, and vehicle numbers have yet to be determined, as data analysis and formulation of alternatives have just begun.  It is the intention of the National Park Service that any such temporary decision be consistent with the agreement providing for travel on the East Entrance road over Sylvan Pass, subject to avalanche and safety-related constraints.

The National Park Service further intends to address in the decision any applicable requirements imposed by existing court decisions as well as the pending decision of the U.S. District Court for Wyoming.

- NPS -