A victory for all those who feel that peace, quiet, and clean air are an important part of the wilderness experience.

The Bush administration’s authorization of increased snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park violates the fundamental legal responsibility of the National Park Service to protect the clean air, wildlife, and natural quiet of national parks for the benefit of all visitors, a federal court ruled today.
The administration authorized increased snowmobile use despite scientific conclusions by the National Park Service that the decision would multiply noise and unhealthy exhaust, which disrupt the experiences of visitors, and traffic that harms Yellowstone’s wildlife, including bison.

Judge Emmet Sullivan based his ruling on the national Park servicr organic Act, which states that the “fundamental purpose of the national park system is to conserve park resources and values.” He also ruled that the National park Service failed to provide a rational explanation for the source of the 540 snowmobile limit.”

The Bush Administration and its appointed minions in the park service and other agencies have made a habit of ignoring scientific evidence and blatantly disregarding the rule of laws. Bravo to Judge Sullivan for calling them on it, and for making a ruling that will help to protect not only Yellowstone National Park, but all the other parks in the system as well.