Posted: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 12:00 am
Star-Tribune Editorial Board
Let's make a deal with federal lawmakers from California and Florida: We don't tell you how to manage Death Valley and the Everglades, and you keep your nose out of Yellowstone.
OK, that may be a bit harsh. After all, as the first national park, Yellowstone is special. Legally as well as emotionally, it belongs to all Americans.
Still, members of Congress so far removed from this corner of the world shouldn't act as if they know what's best for Yellowstone. They don't have a clue.
Members from California and Florida led the pack of 86 representatives who sent a letter Monday asking the National Park Service to phase out snowmobiles in Yellowstone.
Mike Snyder, Park Service regional director in Denver, will decide by Nov. 19. He should ignore the unsolicited advice from the anti-snowmobile contingent and listen to Wyoming's congressional delegates. They are the closest to the situation.
Like the majority of their constituents, Wyoming's congresswoman and senators strongly support continued snowmobile access to the park. In fact, Wyoming's Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Rep. Barbara Cubin would prefer a higher daily limit than the agency's recommendation.
The Park Service has recommended allowing 540 snowmobiles per day. Until announcing the plan in September, the agency consistently had favored a limit of 720. That's the compromise figure the agency had allowed for the past two winters, and it should have been maintained.
During the 1990s, as many as 1,400 snowmobiles a day were permitted. But that was an era when noisy two-stroke engines were used, and they created more pollution. Today's four-stroke engines are much cleaner and quieter.
The numbers are dramatically down, too. Last year, an average of fewer than 290 snowmobiles entered the park daily during winter. Uncertainty over the access issue may be a partial explanation.
The 86 members of Congress who signed the Park Service letter want snowmobiles to be replaced by a smaller number of snowcoaches. They contend allowing snowmobiles shows a disregard for the Park Service's conservation mission.
But these misguided lawmakers don't understand that the agency has a dual mission: to conserve Yellowstone's resources AND to provide public access for recreation. What's needed is a balance.
No one - not even the snowmobile industry - argues for unlimited snowmobile access anymore. A reasonable number is necessary for the Park Service to meet its dual responsibilities.
Congressional opponents also ignore what Cubin correctly noted is the significant contribution snowmobiling makes to the economic base of Yellowstone's gateway communities. You can bet those opponents would change their position if Yellowstone were in their backyard.
Many of these representatives have no national parks in their states. They're all welcome to visit Yellowstone this winter and see what the snowmobiling experience is like.
Just don't try to run the place.