EPA frowns on Yellowstone snowmobile proposal
The Environmental Protection Agency lashed out against a new proposal for snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Parke, saying it doesn’t go far enough in ensuring that air quality, human health, wildlife and quiet spaces are protected.
Earlier this year, the National Park Service released a draft plan that would allow 720 snowmobiles and 78 snowcoaches per day into Yellowstone. The machines would have to meet noise and pollution standards and snowmobilers would have to be with a commercial guide.
The EPA’s comments were among more than 110,000 letters, including those from state and local governments, to the Park Service on the draft plan. The proposal, which is expected to be finalized last year, is the latest attempt to resolve the long-running controversy over snowmobiling in Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks.
