Thursday, July 28, 2011 - 10:35

NPS Releases Proposed Rule Concerning Winter Use In Yellowstone

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the release of a proposed rule concerning winter use in Yellowstone National Park for public review and comment. The rulemaking process is in addition to, but separate from, the public review and comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the park's winter use plan, which was released for public review and comment in early May. BRC and our partners will be reviewing the plan, and will have suggested comments soon.

The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2011, is open for a 60-day public review and comment period through September 6, 2011.

The proposed rule, and an electronic form for submitting written comments, are available online.
The proposed rule can be found HERE and you can submit comments by clicking on the Submit a Comment button in the upper right corner and following the instructions.

Written comments may be submitted through this website, in person, or by mail. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax, or email. No bulk comments will be accepted. Due to the project's time schedule, the National Park Service will not entertain any requests to extend the comment period.

Additional information on the Draft EIS is on the National Park Service's Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yell.

Both the proposed rule and the Draft EIS are available on compact disc or in printed paper form. Request one in writing at National Park Service, Management Assistant's Office, P. O. Box 168,
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.

The National Park Service intends to have a final EIS, a Record of Decision, and a final rule guiding winter use in place before the start of the 2011-2012 winter season.

February 1, 2012 11:27 AM

Yellowstone National Park - Winter Supplemental EIS Scoping Announced! Dear Interested Snowmobilers, I am sure many of you have followed the twists and turns of Winter Use Planning processes for the last twelve plus years.  There have been many.  In addition, the continuing legal battles in the Washington D.C. and Wyoming courts have yet to come to a conclusion that both sides will accept.

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January 31, 2012 1:47 PM

Staff Column by Jack Welch


On Sunday, January 15th, I had the opportunity to join a guided group on the trek from West Yellowstone, Montana, to Old Faithful. Our guide was Gaylon Tibwell from Yellowstone Arctic and Yamaha Tours, one of the commercial trip providers from West Yellowstone, Montana. On my trek, I saw first hand how international visitors, fellow citizens and member of the U.S. Air Force from Utah enjoyed the snowmobile as a form of transportation to Old Faithful. The Israelis really enjoyed the adventure and took lots of pictures.

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January 4, 2012 10:31 AM
Associated Image

Update: Yes, the gates to Yellowstone National Park opened to Winter Use on December 15th, with limited access to the Park. However, on December 29th and 30th a major snowstorm brought over a foot of new snow to the Park. This additional snow has allowed for increased over-snow access to the Park! Both the South and West Gates are open to snowmobiles and snowcoaches. As of December 31st, the only restriction to over-snow access is from the Northeast Gate. The Mammoth area allows only rubber-tracked snowcoaches.

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