Today’s Discussion: Snowmobiles In Our National Parks
November 6, 2008
The use of snowmobiles in our national park system has brought about some controversy of late. On one side of the discussion are those that feel that everyone has a right to enjoy our nation’s parks through whatever activity they choose. They help pay for the park system, right?
The second side of this debate revolves around those that say that snowmobiles, atv’s, and other off-road vehicles hamper the protection of these parks through their added pollution, tearing up the terrain, and the added noise of said vehicles.
Headlining this debate are two parks that many consider to be the epitome of our national park system: Yellowstone and Grand Teton. A judge recently rejected a proposal to allow 605 snowmobiles a day, split between the two parks, entrance into the parks. With the judge (U.S. District Judge Emmit Sullivan) rejecting the first proposal, a new initiative is now working it’s way through the system. This new proposal would allow 318 snowmobiles a day inside Yellowstone National Park, and another 50 into Grand Teton. This new measure will, more than likely, be passed in the next few weeks.
I am curious to hear what some of my readers have to say about this discussion. I know I have covered this topic in the past, but now that things are getting close to being passed, I thought it would be a good time to open up a comment thread to my loyal readers. What are your thoughts on snowmobiles and atv’s in our nation’s parks. If you are for these measures, how do you feel about the restrictions being placed in our parks? If you are against, same question. Do you think limiting the use of these vehicles will actually help out the situation, or do you feel it will just spark more debate in the coming years?
Let me hear your thoughts by commenting below. I will try to follow this discussion throughout the day and may even post a follow-up article with some of the responses.
Photo: This photo comes by way of Scott the Hobo on Flickr and is being used through a creative commons license. Please click the photo to learn more.
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Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Today's Discussion |
When snowmobiles numbers in YNP were unchecked, rangers at entrance stations suffered often from respiratory ailments. As a former seasonal ranger in GNP and now a writer/photographer with hundreds of credits, I’m elated they’re not allowed in this northern MT park. Sometimes I have the opportunity to tell my readers that.
That is some interesting information concerning the YNP entrance stations and rangers. If snowmobiles can make that much of a difference in breathing, it makes one wonder what walking down a street does to people, with all the traffic-