April 27, 2000

Snowmobiles and national parks. The two don't mix.

That's the conclusion of the National Park Service, which today issued a broad ban on snowmobiles. A pair of major parks in our region, however, are not on the no-snowmobile list. News Specialist John Daley has details.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton are not on that list--yet. A decision will come later this year. Meantime, those who ride the machines are not pleased with the move and they plan to fight it.

A national park--but for what? Everyone agrees places like Yellowstone are a great haven for wildlife. But should snowmobiles be protected here too?

The National Park Service says "No" and is issuing a broad ban on the machines. Yellowstone is not now on the list, but a couple dozen other national parks, recreational areas and monuments are.

The head of the Utah Snowmobile Association says he's frustrated.

Mark Michie/Utah Snowmobile Assn.: "THIS IS PUBLIC GROUND. IT'S OUR GROUND. WE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO USE IT. EVERYBODY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO USE IT. FOR SOME REASON, THERE'S A FEW PEOPLE TRYING TO KILL US."

According to the park service more than 180-thousand snowmobiles are used during winter months in the national park system.

Critics have made Yellowstone the poster child for snowmobile trouble--citing damage to wildlife and the park environment, noting that air pollution from the machines gets so bad the park service had to install fresh-air ventilation ducts at entrance stations.

Gale Dick--who has fought backcountry motorized travel for years--calls it a step in the right direction.

Gale Dick/Save Our Canyons: "BASICALLY FOR THE REASON THAT IF YOU WANT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO ENJOY PUBLIC LANDS--GET THE PEOPLE THERE AND GET THE MACHINES OUT."

With recreation now by far the biggest use of the public lands, you could say this is just a part of the most contentious battle in the New West.

Bob Keiter/Director/Wallace Stegner Center: "MORE PEOPLE, MORE VEHICLES, MORE ACCESS, MORE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL HARM AND AS A RESULT THE LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES ARE REACTING, LIKE THEY HAVE IN THE PAST, BY IMPOSING ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS."

The decision about whether to ban snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton is delayed until November due to on-going studies of snowmobiles in both parks.