2001 Montana Legislature

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10

INTRODUCED BY S. VICK, HARGROVE, BALYEAT, BECK, BERRY, BITNEY, D. BROWN, CLANCY, COLE, DAVIES, DEPRATU, EKEGREN, ELLIS, ESP, GLASER, GOLIE, GRIMES, HEDGES, JENT, KEENAN, KITZENBERG, LENHART, LEWIS, MAHLUM, MANGAN, MASOLO, MCGEE, K. MILLER, D. MOOD, ROUSH, SHEA, SLITER, SOMERVILLE, SPRAGUE, STORY, TASH, B. THOMAS, WALTERS, J. WELLS, WITT, C. YOUNKIN

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A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO WITHDRAW ITS DECISION TO IMPLEMENT A WINTER USE PLAN THAT WOULD ELIMINATE SNOWMOBILE USE IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND TO SUBSTITUTE A PLAN THAT ENSURES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FUTURE SELF-DIRECTED SNOWMOBILE ACCESS TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK; AND URGING CONGRESS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PERSONNEL TO ENSURE HEALTH AND SAFETY.



     WHEREAS, the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior have announced a new winter use plan to implement severe restrictions on snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park, culminating in a ban on snowmobiles in the park for other than administrative purposes beginning with the 2003-2004 winter season, citing negative impacts on the park environment as a result of emissions and noise, despite recent scientific studies showing that the data used in making the decision was antiquated and in some cases flawed; and

     WHEREAS, the Montana Legislature is concerned about the management of internationally known resource values found in Montana while maintaining the economic well-being of communities surrounding Yellowstone National Park that are heavily dependent on recreation to provide revenue for both public and private economic activity; and

     WHEREAS, over 75,000 people annually visit Yellowstone National Park on snowmobiles to see and enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and spectacles of nature in a winter setting, including many people who consider the snowmobile to be not only a form of transportation, but also a desirable part of the winter experience; and

     WHEREAS, a large percentage of more than $44 million in annual expenditures by nonresident snowmobile users in Montana is related to the West Yellowstone, Montana, area, providing approximately 600 jobs while allowing sustainable use and enjoyment of the Park's resources; and

     WHEREAS, West Yellowstone, Montana, and other gateway communities may experience a significant decline in winter visitors, which could result in a significant adverse impact on the economy of the three counties of Montana surrounding Yellowstone National Park; and

     WHEREAS, the new winter use plan fails to adequately consider alternatives to snowmobile regulation short of absolute prohibition, despite recent and ongoing advancements in snowmobile technology, such as the four-stroke "Yellowstone Special" snowmobile now in use, that reduce noise and emission levels; and

     WHEREAS, the new winter use plan is contrary to the intent of the state of Montana and the wishes of most of the snowmobiling public and many members of the general public, denying certain members of the public their preferred access to publicly funded and managed lands for valid educational and pleasuring purposes; and

     WHEREAS, the overall economy of the state is of significant concern to the Montana Legislature; and

     WHEREAS, the states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming and many affected counties were originally considered cooperators in the process leading to adoption of the new winter use plan, but have been unable to have their input as cooperators and participants in the decisionmaking process considered in a meaningful manner by the National Park Service and other federal officials.



NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

     (1)  That the National Park Service be urged to:

     (a) withdraw its decision ultimately banning snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park and replace its new winter use plan with a plan that:

     (i)  maintains and enhances historic winter visitor use levels;

     (ii) ensures the opportunity for future self-directed access to Yellowstone National Park by snowmobile;

     (iii) fully considers the economic impacts on surrounding communities; and

     (iv) ensures that the interests of the governments of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming and their affected counties and cities near Yellowstone National Park are fully considered and accounted for; and

     (b) provide adequate personnel to ensure the health and safety of all winter users and the health and safety of park wildlife.

     (2)  That the President of the United States, Montana's Congressional delegation, and Congress as a whole be urged to bring about legislative or regulatory reform that ensures future self-directed snowmobile access to Yellowstone National Park, subject to appropriate regulations governing equipment, time of use, and visitor numbers that are consistent with the legislation that created the National Park System, and that is necessary to accomplish the management goals of Yellowstone National Park and be urged to provide adequate funding to achieve the purpose of subsection (1)(b).

     (3)  That the Secretary of State send copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, members of the United States Congress, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and the Director of the National Park Service.

- END -




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