NPS Approves Decision To Allow 540 Snowmobiles in Yellowstone Daily

December 14, 2007 – The National Park Service has published a Record of Decision (ROD) for the final EIS for winter use plans in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.  The ROD represents the final step in the revision process.  As described in the Final EIS, 540 commercially guided snowmobiles in Yellowstone and of 65 unguided snowmobiles in Grand Teton are allowed daily.  After the 2007-2008 season, the Sylvan Pass will be opened and managed using full avalanche forecasting.  (The 2007 season will continue to use the 2004 Temporary Plan.)  When the pass is deemed safe, it will be open to snowmobiles.  In Grand Teton, snowmobile travel on the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail between Moran Junction and Flagg Ranch will be closed.  25 unguided snowmobiles will be allowed on the Grassy Lake Road and 40 unguided snowmobiles will be allowed on Jackson Lake.  For further information, please contact John Sacklin at (307) 344-2019 or at yell_winter_use@nps.gov.  To view the original announcement in the Federal Register, please click here.

As last reported on September 25, 2007:  The National Park Service has published the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for winter use plans in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.  In the process of developing the final EIS, the Service evaluated six different alternatives for winter use within the Parks.  The original draft EIS issued by the Service made Alternative 1 the preferred choice, which would have allowed for daily operation of 720 snowmobiles in Yellowstone and 140 in Grand Teton..  In conferring with other land management agencies involved in the planning process, and after reviewing comments submitted from the public, a seventh option emerged as the preferred alternative, and is now the plan the Service has selected in the final EIS.  Alternative 7 would lower the daily limit of snowmobiles from 720/140 to 540/65.  In Yellowstone, all snowmobilers would be required to travel with a commercial guide, a policy already currently in place.  The east entrance to Yellowstone would remain open for cross-country ski and snowshoe access.
 
A Record of Decision will follow in the next few months, making the final EIS effective for the upcoming winter riding season.  Information for this EIS can be viewed on the park planning website by clicking here.  For further information contact Kevin Franken, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY  82190; or by phone at (307) 344-2019.  To view the original announcement of the final EIS in the Federal register, click here.