Yellowstone Snowmobiles Update

The National Park Service released a new recommendation today in regards to the use of snowmobiles within Yellowstone National Park. It's a flexible approach that they hope might control the large numbers of snowmobile enthusiasts who visit the park in the winter.

Under the proposed plan, the Park Service want to allow between 110 to 330 snowmobiles a day in the park. On certain days the number allowed would fluctuate, as long as no day exceeds 330.

Yellowstone has a 90 day winter season, and has been considered as one of the best places to go in the nation in regards to snowmobiling. Its estimated that the park could average 254 snowmobiles a day under the recommendation.

A range of options have been considered in dealing with the on-going dispute verses environmentalists and enthusiasts. Other options the National Park Service has looked into is that of allowing 720 sleds a day to even a ban of the vehicles all together.

The recommendation will be followed by more studies, another public comment period and a final decision will come some time later this year. A rule needs to be established before next season or the use of snowmobiles will be banned until a rule can be established.