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YELLOWSTONE |
IN THE NEWS TODAY: Protecting Yellowstone -- by Bruce Gourley Spring Road Opening Schedule -- by NPS Bison Update -- News Brief National Park Week -- by NPS NEW! Daily Environmental News -- from ISyndicate |
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ROAD REPORT
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 PROTECTING YELLOWSTONEby Bruce Gourley Yellowstone is a national treasure which is owned by the American public. Protecting Yellowstone is the responsibility of the American public. This weekly feature will help identify and explore the issues which are crucial to the ongoing, healthy existence of the "Crown Jewel" of America's National Park system. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Yellowstone's roads began opening for the spring season this past Friday. The opening of the roads each spring signifies the coming of a new season in Yellowstone. Visitors to the Park will begin to trickle in slowly as the weather continues to warm up, and by mid-June the Park will be in "full swing" as thousands upon thousands descend upon the Grand Old Park to marvel at the geysers, wildlife and rugged beauty. The coming of summer season also means that some visitors will inadvertently do things which are harmful to the Park's wildlife, thermal features or plant life -- and may also be harmful to the unwitting perpetrator. Accordingly, this column will, from time to time, print information from the Park Service regarding the rules and regulations which visitors to Yellowstone are required to follow. Park Service rules and regulations in Yellowstone are designed for the protection of both the visitor and the Park itself. Following are the rules and regulations regarding the thermal areas within Yellowstone. "Stay on boardwalks and designated trails; watch for frosty and icy trails and boardwalks, especially in the morning. Scalding water underlies thin, breakable crusts; pools are near or above boiling temperatures. Each year, visitors off trails in thermal areas have been seriously burned, and people have died in the scalding water. "Thermal features are easily destroyed. Visitors throwing objects into these features have damaged a number of geysers and hot springs. Waking on them, carving or defacing them, or removing souvenir pieces of formation destroys decades or centuries of intricate natural processes. "It is illegal to throw objects into features, deface or remove any natural features from the park. Yellowstone's thermal features are extraordinary natural wonders. Please help us keep them that way. "Pets are prohibited in thermal areas. Swimming or bathing in thermal pools or streams whose waters flow entirely from a thermal spring or pool is prohibited.. Thermal waters may contain organisms known to cause infections and/or amoebic meningitis which can be quickly fatal." |
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Ralph Maughan
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SPRING ROAD
OPENING SCHEDULE by National Park Service YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo.(NPS) -- Spring weather is unpredictable; roads may be closed temporarily by snow or other weather conditions. Snow tires or chains may be required at times due to hazardous winter driving conditions. Travelers to the park are urged to contact park headquarters at (307) 344-7381 for current road and weather conditions. The Park's western roadways opened this past Friday. The rest of the Park roads will open according to the following schedule: East and South Entrances: May 7 Beartooth Pass: May 28 Tower Junction to Canyon: June 18 (May open earlier if conditions allow.) |
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| BISON UPDATE News Brief Through the weekend, a total of 94 bison had been slaughtered by the Montana Department of Livestock in the ongoing dispute over the disease brucellosis. A federal judge previously ruled that the Department of Livestock could kill no more than 100 during the winter season. Bison advocates maintain that even one bison killed is too many. Last winter, a total of eleven bison were slaughtered, whereas some 1100 were killed the previous winter. The Montana Department of Livestock is now the lone government agency involved in the bison dispute which insists that killing the bison is necessary. |
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| NATIONAL PARKS
WEEK by National Park Service WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For millions of visitors every year, America's 378 National Park Service areas serve as living examples of the diversity, history, and natural wonders that have always defined this country. "America's Parks, America's Treasures" the theme for National Park Week '99 offers citizens an invitation to explore America's treasured lands. Two National Award ceremonies will take place during National Park Week: The Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award recipient will be announced on Tuesday, April 20th in a White House Ceremony. Named after Harry Yount, who is credited, as being the first Park Ranger, the Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award is the hallmark of recognition as a National Park Service Ranger. Selected from Rangers nominated by their peers, the award not only seeks to recognize and honor outstanding Rangers, but to encourage high standards of performance; foster an especially responsive attitude toward public service; enhance the public's appreciation of the Park Ranger profession; and, further the spirit of the art and science of "rangering." The National Park Partnership Awards will be presented on Wednesday evening, April 21st. With this award the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation recognize excellence where partners have demonstrated cooperation, vision, and dedication to preserving the integrity of the parks. The five categories include: Education, Environmental Conservation, Historic Preservation, Recreation, and The Director's Award. |
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