May 29, 2002

NATIONAL NEWS

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

The comment period on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement ends Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at midnight.

Two business owners in Yellowstone support the phase out of snowmobiles. Read the story at:

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?display=rednews/2002/05/25/build/opinion/guestopinion1.inc

Jet skis and other 2-stroke motors found to be large contributors of oil pollution

In a comprehensive report issued in May 2002, the National Research Council concluded jet skis and other boats equipped with two-stroke engines are a "significant source" of oil pollution throughout North America. The Council determined that "land runoff and recreational boating account for nearly three quarters of the 25 million gallons" of oil pollution released annually from general consumption of oil. While jet skis, boats and runoff produce more than 18 million gallons of oil pollution, oil drilling and exploration account for less than 1 million gallons. Please visit www.naturaltrails.org for the link to the Academies' report and press release.

Wilderness Study Area Protections May be Removed

U.S. Representative Otter (R-ID) introduced H.R. 4620, a bill that would remove interim protections from Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) by putting a timeline on how long these lands can remain in protected status before potentially becoming designated as Wilderness by Congress. Currently, limited off-road vehicle use is allowed on designated routes in WSAs. Once protections are removed, these lands will be opened up to unlimited off-road vehicle abuse. This bill is being co-sponsored by representatives Hansen, Radanovich and Stump, all of who have individual bills that if passed, would open up public lands and waters to ATVs, jet skis, snowmobiles, and other off-road vehicles.

On Thursday, June 6, 2002, Don Barry, Executive Vice President of the Wilderness Society, will testify at a hearing before the House National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands Subcommittee on the implications of this bill.

REGIONAL NEWS

Whiskeytown is thriving without jet skis

According to ABC News, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California is enjoying the peace and quiet resulting from the April 22, 2002 ban on jet skis. Other media reports document that non-motorized recreation such as kayaking is thriving.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/DailyNews/jetskis020524.html

Quote of the Week:

"I have a 3-year-old and I now love coming here," said a woman floating on an air mattress in the unusually warm waters. "You don't have to worry about the Jet Skis. It's safe, it's quiet, it's peaceful. It's a great place to relax." - ABC News

White River National Forest Plan to be Made Public on June 4, 2002
Press Conference on May 30, 2002

After much deliberation and delay, the White River National Forest (WRNF) resource management plan will be released on June 4, 2002. The National Forest Service's preferred alternative in the plan proposes putting a higher priority on protecting natural resources and mitigating human impacts such as recreation and resource extraction. A press conference will be held on May 30, 2002. For details, contact Kate Rogerson, The Wilderness Society, 303-650-5818 x 109

The report will be posted online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver

Gallatin National Forest

The Gallatin National Forest, Montana, is a forest that models the true nature of off-road vehicle abuse in our nation's forest. Currently, there are 2,000 miles of recognized recreational trails and routes, 850 of which are for off-road vehicle use. The Forest Service documented that there are an additional 2,000 miles of illegally-created cross-country routes through the forest created by ATVs, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehicles.

For more information contact:

Alix Rauschman, Communications Specialist
(202) 429-2672 phone (202) 549-2860 cell
alix_rauschman@tws.org