|
| . | . | . | ||
| Site Search | Support Yellowstone! Discussion Free Internet, Email, More Email Newsletter | |||
YELLOWSTONE |
IN THE NEWS TODAY: Protecting Yellowstone -- by Bruce Gourley National Parks Week Upcoming -- by NPS Grizzly Update -- News Brief Road Openings Schedule -- by National Park Service NEW! Daily Environmental News -- from ISyndicate |
|||
| . | . | . | ||
| Travel News: | ||||
ROAD REPORT PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-
|
 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) -- The sound of snowmobiles disturbs the quietness most of the time at some of Yellowstone's main visitor attractions during the winter months, according to a newly released survey. The sound survey, the first of its kind conducted in Yellowstone, was conducted by over three dozen volunteers in conjunction with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the National Parks and Conservation Association. Of the thirteen winter sites monitored by the volunteers, only one, Lone Star Geyser, was absent of any snowmobile sounds. At eight of the remaining twelve sites, snowmobiles marred the quietness over 90% of the time, including 100% at Old Faithful. The study was conducted in the Madison to Old Faithful area, the most popular stretch of roadway used by snowmobilers in Yellowstone. Volunteers used the same type of equipment which was used to measure noise pollution caused by airplanes flying over Grand Canyon National Park. Even some of the volunteers were taken aback by the noise saturation caused by snowmobiles. Although the atmospheric pollution caused by snowmobiles garners the most attention in regards to the winter use debate in Yellowstone, noise pollution is gaining increasing notice from environmentalists. The peace and solitude of winter in Yellowstone is one of the most remarkable experiences one can have within the Park. Many Park visitors like riding snowmobiles in the Park, yet at the same time regret that the machines are far too noisy. The future of snowmobiles in Yellowstone is cloudy, to say the least. The EPA has declared that the Park's Winter Use Proposal is too lax. Snowmobile advocates declare that the Park's proposal goes too far. The question of whether snowmobiles have a place in Yellowstone -- and if so, what restrictions should be imposed -- may well be one of the top issues facing Yellowstone over the next decade. (Yellowstone Net provides you opportunity to voice your opinion regarding the various Yellowstone issues to your congresspersons and to editorial sections of magazines and newspapers by clicking here.) |
|||
| . | . | . | ||
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Ralph Maughan
|
NATIONAL
PARKS WEEK UPCOMING WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The annual National Parks Week will be celebrated from April 17-20 this year. The National Parks Service invites you to join national parks and communities across the country in celebrating National Park Week 2000. This annual event pays tribute to the special places cared for by the National Park Service, and honors the people and organizations dedicated to the Service's mission. Events in many national parks invite visitors to experience their local national park or travel online to a park faraway at www.nps.gov. The Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award is presented this week. The award recognizes excellence in the art and science of "rangering" and is named for Yount, who is credited as being the first park ranger. |
|||
| . | . | |||
| GRIZZLY
UPDATE News Brief For the first time, "ordinary" citizens will determine the fate of an endangered wildlife species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is forming a committee of fifteen citizens, twelve of whom will be picked by the governors of Montana and Idaho, to oversee the release of at least 25 grizzlies in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana and Idaho. The actual reintroduction is scheduled to begin in 2001, with bears being captured from British Columbia, northwestern Montana and the Yellowstone area compromising the 25 or more animals which will be released. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has also released a plan to maintain the grizzly population in the Yellowstone area if the bear is removed from the Endangered Species list. The plan calls for counting the bears annually as well as monitoring of the bears' habitat, with the goal of maintaining genetic diversity. |
||||
| . | . | |||
| ROAD OPENINGS
SCHEDULE by National Park Service YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- Yellowstone's roads are now closed for spring plowing, with the exception of the northern roadway between Mammoth and Cooke City, Montana. This spring's scheduled road openings are as follows: Spring weather is unpredictable; roads may close temporarily due to snow or other safety factors. Snow tires or chains may be required. Weather and snow conditions permitting, the following roads will open for automobiles are: Mammoth to Norris: April 21 West Entrance - Norris - Canyon: April 21 West Entrance to Old Faithful: April 21 (Old Faithful to West Thumb via Craig Pass will open as soon as conditions allow) East and South Entrances: May 5 Canyon to Lake to Grant Village: May 5 Tower Junction to Canyon: June 16 Beartooth Pass (Outside the Northeast Entrance): May 26 The scheduled opening dates in May are the earliest possible dates; some routes may actually open later. Please call 307-344-7381 or check locally to verify openings tentatively scheduled throughout the month of May. Some roads will also open, as conditions allow for bicycle travel only beginning in the end of March. |
||||
| |
||||
