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| MONDAY January 22, 2001 Vol 5, # 7 |
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| MONDAY January 22, 2001 Vol 5, # 7 |
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YELLOWSTONE 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) -- The 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, was inaugurated Saturday, and within hours he was rescinding some of (former) President Clinton's "11th hour" decisions. Such moves, of course, are to expected in national politics, and tensions between Democrats and Republicans will always be with us. Perhaps it is too much to hope for, but it would seem reasonable that Democrats and Republicans alike would be able to rally together behind certain ideals which Americans as a whole have always supported. One of these ideals is the National Park System as epitomized by Yellowstone National Park. From its earliest days of "discovery," Yellowstone has captured the heart and imagination of Americans. The fascination, mystique and wildness of Yellowstone makes an imprint upon both those who have visited the Park and those who have never had opportunity to do so. It is a unique, special and invaluable part of America, and a priceless worldwide treasure. And yet, despite being beloved and treasured by the American public and the world, there have historically been a handful of individuals who would seek to exploit Yellowstone National Park for personal gain by putting personal business interests over and above the interests of this great Park which is owned by the American people. As it has numerous times in the past, Yellowstone now finds itself being pitted against personal business interests once again. Some truly believe that personal interests (both business and otherwise) should be placed above the continuing protection and preservation of Yellowstone for future generations. The growing snowmobile controversy in Yellowstone is the backdrop for the current expression of such rhetoric. Republicans and Democrats, pro-snowmobilers and environmentalists, some business interests and certain advocacy groups are about to square off in what could turn into a nasty fight concerning the usage of snow machines in Yellowstone. The National Park Service, following years of studies and feedback from over a million people, has already made a decision to ban all snowmobiles in Yellowstone within three years, but the finalization of this order has been delayed until the summer in order for President Bush to evaluate the matter more closely. Environmentalists are worried that Bush will undue the NPS ruling, a move which pro-snowmobilers are hoping for. The truth is that Yellowstone will likely come out a winner even if Bush annuls the NPS ruling. Thanks to years of advocacy by environmentalists, and the backing by the American people as a whole, snowmobiling in Yellowstone is about to change one way or another. As a result of ongoing environmental activism and the voice of the public, if snowmobiles are granted a reprieve in Yellowstone, the new machines that will be plying Yellowstone's winter trails will be a lot cleaner and a little quieter. These new (and long overdue) four-stroke "green" sleds pollute far less than traditional machines and do offer a slightly quieter ride (from my experience, the quieter aspect of the machines is not as noticeable from the seat of the machine as it is when listening to an oncoming machine). In my estimation, the fact that the rider (and bystanders) does not have to endure foul-smelling fumes (which are the cause of incredibly high levels of pollution along the Park's roadways in the winter months) when riding one of these machines is its best selling point. These environmentally "friendly" machines are now available for rental in West Yellowstone. Just ask for the "Yellowstone Special." (You can forget about hill-climbing in these machines, but such activity is prohibited in Yellowstone anyway.) Whatever the ultimate ruling concerning snowmobile usage in Yellowstone National Park, it is imperative that the Park itself emerge as the winner, rather than the personal interests of any one political party or individual person. Indeed, some things in this world are greater than human ambition, materialism, politics and unhindered individual "rights." The truth is that the might and majesty and timelessness of Yellowstone tower above any efforts to harness and harvest the Park for personal gain and profit at the expense of the Park itself. We as Americans must recognize and rally around this very fact. (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 Russ Finley
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2001 NPS
BUDGET DOESN'T MEET NEEDS WASHINGTON, D.C. -- During the last days of the 106th Congress in December, the Senate and House passed an Interior appropriations bill that gives the National Park Service $1.4 billion for its operating budget this year. The budget was equal to last year's but still does not meet the Park Service's needs, said Kevin Collins, NPCA legislative representative. "Preliminary analyses done by NPCA show that the Park Service needs more than $500 million in additional operating dollars every year." Funding for the Natural Resources Challenge, a two-year-old program to promote scientific research for resource protection within the park system, received $15 million. The bill also includes $2.5 million annually to document and restore historic sites used as stops along the Underground Railroad but that are not protected by the National Register of Historic Sites. One of the most contentious items this year was the possible establishment of a permanent fund for conservation, preservation, and public land acquisition. In the end, a compromised version of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) was agreed on, which will establish a six-year fund totaling $12 billion for state and federal land acquisition. CARA, supported overwhelmingly in the House, aimed to provide funds for historic and natural preservation and establish permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which uses royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling to purchase critical lands. The park system includes more than 1 million acres that are currently in private hands and unprotected. The cost of acquiring these lands is estimated to be $1.3 billion. The final compromise provides local, state, and federal conservation programs with $1.6 billion in 2001 and additional funds each year through 2006 when it reaches $2.4 billion. Although the legislation does not require that the funds be appropriated for acquisition, it does not allow the money to be spent for anything else. The bill also does not set aside money specifically for national park resource protection. |
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| GRAND TETON TRAFFIC STUDY News Brief GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- A study by a Boulder, Colorado firm has determined that traffic will steadily increase in Grand Teton National Park during the course of the next five years. The study, in fact, predicts an increase of 17% in the number of visitors by the year 2005, to a total of 4.8 million visitors. This compares to 2.8 million visitors to Yellowstone last year, and an all time high of 3.1 million visitors annually to Yellowstone. The greatest growth in traffic is expected to be along the southern portion of the park's boundaries, on U.S. Hwy 26/89/191/287. The Jackson Hole area in general is experiencing a boom of sorts as the town of Jackson is making a name for itself as the home of the rich and the famous, and world class skiing. The firm conducting the traffic study suggested that Grand Teton National Park add designated bicycle paths in the southern portion of the Park in order to accommodate the growing number of bicyclists. A mass transportation system should also be considered, according to the survey. |
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| WILDLIFE UPDATE News Brief CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Two freshman state lawmakers are making a case for a bill that would designate the jackalope as the official mythical creature of Wyoming. House Bill 101 would add the jackalope to the list of animals recognized by the state of Wyoming. Jackalopes are mythical creatures which are supposedly part rabbit and part antelope, with the appearance being of a jackrabbit with antlers. Taxidermists create the creatures, which are popular with tourists, and are featured on numerous postcards. |
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