Vol 2, # 120

   Monday, November 23, 1998

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EDITOR-IN-
CHIEF
Bruce Gourley

PROTECTING YELLOWSTONE
by 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) -- As another winter season gets underway in the Yellowstone region, the National Wildlife Federation reports that the Buffalo Public Comment period, which ended this month, was a great success.

The National Wildlife Federation has issued the following press statement regarding the Buffalo Comment Period:

"Although, the regional public hearings (Montana, Wyoming and Idaho) started the comment period in a less than stellar manner, the national public hearings began with a bang in Colorado on September 1. In Denver there were over 25 speakers, with the majority (over 90%) speaking out pro-buffalo and against the government’s plan. In Salt Lake City, September 3, the ball began to roll even faster. The hearing was well covered by the media, including the major newspaper, The Salt Lake Tribune, and two television affiliates. Again, the majority of speakers (over 90%) were pro-buffalo. The Citizens’ Plan also began to dominate the testimony.

The last two public hearings, in Austin, TX on September 29 and Minneapolis, MN on October 6, were particularly note-worthy. There were 49 speakers in Austin, TX and all but one supported alternatives to the government’s plan--the vast majority of which supported the
Citizens’ plan. The local chapters of the Audubon and Sierra Club also testified in support of NWF's alternative. “It was exciting to witness our plan gain the support of like-minded organizations and then build momentum from one public hearing to the next,” said NWF senior scientist and buffalo project director, Dr. Steve Torbit, who attended 12 of the 13 hearings. At the Minneapolis hearing, the continued support of the Citizen's plan was especially poignant as there was a large turnout from the Native American community. Over 200 Native Americans attended the hearing, complete with drums, songs, and testimony about the relationship between Native People and buffalo.

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL DEMONSTRATES OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF YELLOWSTONE BUFFALO

On Friday, October 30, 1998, Dr. Torbit and his associate delivered over 40,000 signatures, petitions, and comment letters in support of the NWF/ITBC plan to the National Park Service (NPS) in Lakewood, Colorado. Included in this delivery to the NPS were over 10,000 emergency petitions signed by NWF members, over 800 letters received from this NWF website, and over 18,000 petitions signed in Yellowstone National Park this past Summer!

It is clear through the tremendous response from National Wildlife Federation members, as well as the general public, that Americans care about the buffalo in Yellowstone National Park."

The National Wildlife Federation is to be commended for their outstanding efforts on behalf of Yellowstone's buffalo.  You can visit their website by clicking here.

Click here to write to your congressperson.

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS

Ralph Maughan
Kim Steinbacher
Kevin Sanders
Steve Brashear
Clint Wilkes
Tim Gourley
Hon. Bob Gammage
Ruth Colter-Frick
Lee Whittlesey
Tom Mazzarisi
Russ Finley
David Monteith
Denise Elmer
Dr. Bob Bara

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (YNET)-- This past Friday, eleven bison wandered out of the Yellowstone National Park's western boudaries.  Montana Department of Livestock officials were on hand and hazed the eleven animals back into the Park.  The hazing took place without incident.

Weather forecasters are predicting a severe winter for the Rocky Mountain West, and bison supporters fear that deep snow will lead many more bison to wander out of the Park than did last year.

During the last severe winter, the 1996-97 season, the bison wandered out of Park boundaries in droves as they searched for food, and some 1100 were killed because of the fear that they might be carrying the disease brucellosis.  Cattlemen fear brucellosis can be transmitted to cattle, where it can cause pregnant cows to abort.   However, there has never been a single documented case of brucellosis being transmitted to domestic cattle via wild bison.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPS) -- For the first time, the National Park Service is accepting applications for summer temporary seasonal employment through the internet. Applicants may apply electronically at the web site www.sep.nps.gov.   Information about jobs, including a brief description of duties and qualifications required, is also posted on this web site. Jobs are available in parks across the nation, and include positions such as Park Ranger, Park Guide, and Visitor Use Assistant. These positions involve a wide variety of uties, including law enforcement, fee collection, interpretation, and visitor management.

Individuals may apply for jobs in up to four different parks. The dates for summer temporary seasonal employment vary depending on a park's need, and generally last from three to six months.

Applicants are reminded that the hiring process is extremely competitive, especially at some of the larger, better known areas. Applications must be postmarked by January 15, 1999.

Other seasonal jobs, such as maintenance or resource management positions, are also available but require a different application process. These jobs are posted on the Office of Personnel Management's web site at www.usajobs.opm.gov as they become available. At this time, it is not possible to apply for these jobs electronically.

Prospective applicants may call the Seasonal Employment Program at (202) 208-5074 for more information. Applicants may also receive a hard copy of the application by writing: NPS Seasonal Employment Program, Mail Stop 2225, 1849 C St., NW, Washington DC 20240.

The National Park System comprises 378 sites representing our nation's diverse natural and cultural heritage. These areas include national parks, monuments, historic sites, battlefields, and recreation areas, among others.

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GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, Mont. (NPS) -- Glacier National Park Superintendent David Mihalic announced today, November 19, 1998, that the solicitation for a concessioners to operate Granite Park and Sperry Chalets has been canceled.

Due to the National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998 that was signed into law on November 13, 1998, the prospectus for this opportunity has been canceled. The prospectus gave potential concessioners until December 9, 1998, to submit offers for the concession opportunity. No offers will be accepted under this prospectus.

The new act abolishes the existing federal law under which concessions in national parks have been managed since 1965. The new law requires changes to the prospectus that was out for public consideration. New regulations and policies are being developed by the National Park Service to facilitate implementation of the new law.

The National Park Service is very interested in opening Granite Park and Sperry Chalets for the 1999 summer season. Several options available under the new law are being considered for interim operations. Many reservation inquiries have already been received for the popular chalets for the summer of 1999. The National Park Service is also eager to reopen Sperry Chalet to the public now that rehabilitation work has been completed on the structures and water and sewer systems.

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