Greater Yellowstone Coalition Press Release
January 30, 2003
For Immediate Release

Bush Administration Study of Snowmobiles in Yellowstone Draws Same Conclusion as Clinton Decision

Internal Study Shows the Administration's Call for More Snowmobiling is At Odds with what it Learned about Park Health, Visitor Health, and Economic Impacts

Bozeman, MT--A $2.4 million study commissioned by the Bush Administration identifies phasing out snowmobiles as the best option to protect Yellowstone National Park and the health and safety of its visitors, an internal National Park Service document shows.

Contrary to the Administration's public statements, which have touted continued snowmobile use as the preferred future for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, the Bush study identifies ending snowmobile use as the best balance between preservation and use of the parks.

In addition, the Bush Administration study concludes that phasing out snowmobiles would not cause great or even moderate economic impact: "Even with the phaseout of snowmobiles, economic impacts to local communities in the 5-county area have been found to be negligible to minor."

Known as the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement of Winter Use Plans in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, the Bush study concludes that a snowmobile phaseout is the "Environmentally Preferred Alternative" preserving the parks in the best possible condition, while allowing for current generations to experience and enjoy the parks."

An identical conclusion formed the basis for the Clinton Administration decision in November 2000 to begin phasing snowmobiles out of both parks.

The Bush study says replacing snowmobiles with snowcoaches would achieve:

* "The lowest levels of impacts to air quality, water quality, natural soundscapes, and wildlife,"

* "The widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation [and] risk of health or safety," and

* "Opportunities to experience and enjoy the parks in a safe manner that causes the least amount of damage to the environment."

Watchdog organizations that focus on the health of national parks today urged the Administration to share its findings with the American people. Joining the call for public disclosure is a former Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, Mike Finley.

"The American people just spent an additional two million dollars to find out what is best for Yellowstone, the crown jewel of their national parks," said Finley. "The Administration now owes it to the public to acknowledge that its further study has shown that phasing out snowmobiles is clearly the best alternative."

The organizations urging disclosure of the study¹s findings included the National Parks Conservation Association, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Wilderness Society, Natural Trails and Waters Coalition, Bluewater Network, and Winter Wildlands Alliance.

The Bush study analyzed "cleaner and quieter" snowmobiles and determined that even limited numbers of the newest machines would cause significantly greater impacts than a full transition from snowmobiles to snowcoaches. These greater impacts include haze at Old Faithful, more engine noise, health problems for employees and visitors with sensitive respiratory systems, and chronic disruption of wildlife.

The Bush Administration has shared its findings with a select group of local and state officials, but has not released them to the public. It was obtained through Montana's open records law.

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The Natural Trails and Waters Coalition includes conservation, recreation, hunting and other groups working to protect and restore public lands and waters from the severe abuse caused by all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, jet skis and all other off-road vehicles. www.naturaltrails.org.

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