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| FRIDAY February 23, 2001 Vol 5, # 19 |
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| FRIDAY February 23, 2001 Vol 5, # 19 |
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| Site Search | Support Yellowstone! Discussion $7.95 Internet, Email, More Email Newsletter | |
YELLOWSTONE ROAD
REPORT PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN- |
WEST ENTRANCE ROAD IN POOR
CONDITION by National Park Service YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- With record-low snow accumulation this winter, road conditions along Yellowstone National Park's West Entrance have seriously deteriorated. The National Park Service (NPS) cautions visitors entering through the West Entrance that the 14-mile section of road between the West Entrance and Madison Junction is currently in extremely poor condition with long patches of bare pavement and thin snow cover. There is not enough snow for the snow groomer to be effective. The snow groomer tracks slip on the asphalt, having a detrimental impact on the expensive grooming equipment as well as the snow surface. Beginning today, park staff will switch to a road grader to cut down the moguls in an attempt to create a reasonable oversnow driving surface. Driving on ice packed roads can be considerably different than on snow packed roads, and drivers should use extra caution. Additionally, speed limits from West Yellowstone to Madison Junction will be posted at a maximum 35 miles per hour rather than 45 miles per hour. Also, groomers and equipment may be operating during daylight hours, so caution is advised for heavy equipment on the road. Conditions could improve with colder temperatures and new snowfall, however continuing deteriorating conditions and a warming trend may require further restrictions and/or closing the road before the scheduled closing date of March 12. The weather forecast for the next several days is calling for only minimal snowfall and temperatures in the upper 20s to mid-30s.
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Russ Finley
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BISON
UPDATE WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. -- Buffalo Field Campaign will host a week of action dedicated to protecting the last wild buffalo herd in the United States. The week will include workshops on non-violence, blockades, climbing, guerilla media, winter survival, first aid, buffalo and the Yellowstone ecosystem, legal basics, and puppet/banner making. We are calling on everyone who can attend to join us during this week. On Friday, March 23 we will hold a spokes council with a non-violent direct action to follow on Saturday. The week will end with a spiritual ceremony on Sunday, March 25. Please notify us if you can attend this special week for the buffalo. Be prepared to camp and spend long hours in winter conditions. Seeds of Peace will be providing community meals but asks that you bring bulk food supplies for the kitchen. Contact buffalo@wildrockies.org for more information. |
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| WOLF UPDATE News Brief CHICO HOT SPRINGS, Mont. -- The Annual North American Wolf Conference will be taking place in Chico from April 3-5. The conference focuses on agency recovery efforts throughout North America and features professional presentations on wolf management, law enforcement, partnerships and delisting. This conference is suggested for state and federal agency, tribal and university and related organizations participating in wolf management and recovery. In addition, the second Wolf Field Techniques Workshop will be held April 2-3. Wolf professionals from around the continent will gather to present information on state-of-the-art equipment and techniques for wolf capture and handling for research and management. For more information on these events, click here. |
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| OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT
NEAR YELLOWSTONE by Greater Yellowstone Coalition JACKSON, Wyo. (GYC) -- The Bridger-Teton National Forest, bordering Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming, is world famous for its blue ribbon trout streams, winding through lush valleys complete with vast herds of elk. These lands are home to some of the most rare and vulnerable animals in the lower-48 states, including the grizzly bear, gray wolf and Canada lynx For the last three years, the oil and gas industry has been fighting to open up nearly 370,000 acres - an area larger than neighboring Grand Teton National Park - to oil and gas development. Drill rigs, accompanied by a maze of roads and power lines, already fracture many of the last best places in Greater Yellowstone But in a recent far-sighted move, the Bridger-Teton National Forest proposed to put this land off limits to oil and gas industrialization. The public overwhelmingly supports this proposal, known as the "No Lease" alternative in the draft Environmental Impact Statement for Oil and Gas Development. In fact, 98% of the more than 2,500 comments received supported the "No Lease" alternative. But...emboldened by allies in the new Bush administration, big oil is working to reverse this proposal. Only through an emphatic show of public support for the Forest Service proposal will the "No Lease" decision hold. It is critical that you take this opportunity to sign the postcards below (or write your own letter), to support protection of the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the "No Lease" alternative. This decision will set a precedent for the future management of our national forests: Will our public lands be managed mainly for industrial-scale resource extraction and production? Or are some places simply too important for wildlife, clean water and recreation? The Forest Service is trying to protect this last slice of wild country on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. It needs and deserves your support. For more information, click here. |
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