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YELLOWSTONE |
IN THE NEWS TODAY: Protecting Yellowstone -- by Bruce Gourley Yellowstone Wildlife Update -- New Brief Other Wildlife News -- News Brief Road Openings Schedule -- by National Park Service NEW! Daily Environmental News -- from ISyndicate |
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ROAD REPORT PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-
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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) -- Last week National Park Service officials announced that they will likely present a final winter use plan for Yellowstone National Park which excludes snowmobiles within Park boundaries. The plan would also exclude snowmobiles from nearby Grand Teton National Park. This announcement followed on the heels of a Environmental Protection Agency declaration that the Park Service's previous preferred winter use alternative (plowing the road from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful, but otherwise allowing snowmobiles within the Park) was in violation of the Park Service's mandate to protect the environment in Yellowstone. Snowmobiles emit extremely high amounts of pollution into the atmosphere, as well as disturb the quietness of Yellowstone during the winter months. A study two weeks ago revealed that at most winter visitor attractions between Madison and Old Faithful, snowmobile noise is present 90% or more of the time during daylight hours. Furthermore, the majority of public winter use comments from last year favored removal of snowmobiles from the Park. Environmentalists are supportive of the Park's decision to look into removing snowmobiles from Yellowstone. Under the proposal, snowcoaches, which use automobile engines and thus emit much less pollution, would still be allowed into the Park, and would indeed be the only means of transportation to Old Faithful during the winter months. Business owners in the Yellowstone region, however, are highly concerned that the absence of snowmobiles in Yellowstone will be spell disaster to nearby communities, including West Yellowstone, which has come to depend on income from Yellowstone snowmobilers since sleds were first allowed in the Park back in the early 1970s. The Park Service's sudden move towards banning all snowmobiles from Yellowstone does reflect a major shift from the policies being pursued just a few months ago. The Park Service will make the official announcement of its preferred winter use policy later this year in the fall. The aforementioned EPA criticism of the Park Service certainly was the major factor in the Park Service's policy shift. No one can deny that banning snowmobiles from Yellowstone would go a long ways to protecting the Park's environment. In the coming months, however, expect to see debates over the "rights" of snowmobilers to use Yellowstone's trails and the negative impact which the removal of snowmobiles from the Park would have upon some area businesses. All-in-all, the debate will answer a larger question: just how important is it for us as Americans to protect Yellowstone National Park so that future generations may enjoy the beauty and wildness of this most remarkable place? (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.) |
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Ralph Maughan
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YELLOWSTONE
WILDLIFE UPDATE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. Wyo. -- Wildlife researchers are now radio-collaring some 50 to 70 elk cows and calves in Yellowstone for the purpose of conducting the first comprehensive study of the effect of newly reintroduced wolves on the Park's elk population. This past winter has witnessed the accusation by some sportsmen that the wolves in Yellowstone are dramatically reducing the numbers of elk in the Yellowstone region. Despite these charges, however, winter aerial surveys revealed that the Park's northern elk herd increased in numbers from previous years. Nonetheless, it does appear to be the case that elk are the wolves' favorite game animal. The study of the collared elk is an effort to help researchers better understand the complex nature of elk and wolf interaction in the Park. Leading the study are Rolf Peterson of Michigan Tech University, Mark Boyce of Alberta and David Mech of the United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division. |
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WILDLIFE NEWS News Brief The fate of the lynx is up in the air, as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service missed a January deadline regarding a decision on whether or not to seek protection of the reclusive animal under the Endangered Species Act. Several environmental groups have responded by filing suit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The groups suing include Predator Conservation Alliance, Defenders of Wildlife and the Biodiversity Legal Foundation. There is debate about how many lynx now exist in the United States. Found throughout the Rocky Mountain region, the lynx has already been recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Service for the threatened species list. The listing of the animal on the Endangered Species list, however, would give the animal a higher level of protection. |
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| 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. |
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