YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Needs NYS Snowmobilers' Help NOW!

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Yellowstone.. part of our national heritage.

While my wife and I were on a snowmobiling vacation in West Yellowstone, MT 2 weeks ago, I noticed that there was an announcement for a National Park Service (NPS) public comment meeting on the newly developed "winter use plan and supplemental environmental impact statement for Yellowstone National Park, WY".  Federal law provides that the NPS develop an acceptable plan for wintertime use of the massive park, one that will pass the standards ofthe current administration.  Over the years, the temporary plan has prescribed the number of snowmobiles and/or snow coaches (motor vehicles on tracks) that can legally enter the park on a given day.

On March 15^th, 2012, the current "extension" of the temporary plan will expire, leaving the Park closed to all wintertime use for motor vehicles UNLESS an acceptable plan is in place by this fall. These public meetings were derived so that the park officials could hear from local residents and businesses in regards to what they want to see being used in the Park.   These same NPS officials have used past surveys and thousands of public comments to come up with 7 different choices that they could take action on in the new permanent plan.

While this issue is taking place more than 2,000 miles away, this is an issue that may be fought in New York State in the future.  If anti-snowmobiling groups succeed in Yellowstone Park, they will continue to discriminate against snowmobilers across the country.   We have thoroughly analyzed all 7 options and the only alternative plan that is viable for snowmobilers is Alternative #2.  NYSSA asks that EVERY club member and Director take 5 minutes to help our fellow snowmobilers.  We need to support our sport and may need help in the future from snowmobilers in other states.

The deadline to speak in support of our fellow snowmobilers is Friday March 9.

Online:

• Use the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yell [click on the link to the 2012 Supplemental Winter Use Plan EIS then click on the "Open for Comment" link at the left, then on the "Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental EIS--Yellowstone Winter Use" link, then on the box that reads "Comment on Document" in order to provide comments].

Written, on Paper:

• Mail any written comments to this address:
  Yellowstone National Park Supplemental Winter Use Plan EIS
  PO Box 168
  Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Please submit ALL comments by Friday March 9, 2012.

Below is my personal submitted comment as a sample. Please create your own comment, but DO NOT just copy and paste this, as they will group them together and count them all as only one comment!

Using Alternative #2 with updated and increased number of snowmobiles and snow coaches should be the only alternative that is seriously considered by the National Park Service. By using the newest BAT technology for the very newest snowmobiles allowed in the Park as well as the newly developed snow coach BAT sound emissions, the number allowed in to view the beauty of Yellowstone Park in the winter will be able to be increased. Alternatives #1, 3, 4 and 5 are unacceptable. Alternatives #5 and #6 do not seem feasible at all, especially for the vendors who host Yellowstone winter tours that need to order their snowmobiles in April. And Alternative #7 is too extreme and seems to make too much work of tracking the users by the NPS. Please use Alt. #2 and increase the numbers of the allowable uses by snow coaches and snowmobiles by using the very latest OEM snowmobile BAT standards and upgrading the snow coaches to meet their new BAT technology. Preserve the right of wintertime enthusiasts to see Yellowstone during the winter months ON A SNOWMOBILE. Do NOT restrict our use. The economic viability of the local businesses and communities deserve to be recognized, not destroyed.

Thank YOU!

PO Box 1040, Pine Bush, NY 12566

888-624-3849 x 102