News Release
Governor Martz Guest Opinion on Snowmobile Issue
2/12/2004
Kris Goss
406-444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
Attached you will find a guest editorial by Governor Judy Martz
regarding
her thoughts on the development of an balanced solution to the
Yellowstone
snowmobile issue. The editorial is a follow up to her recent trip into
Yellowstone National Park on a next generation low emission snowmobile.
*****************************************
Middle Ground Necessary for Yellowstone Snowmobile Issue
by
Governor Judy Martz
Yellowstone National Park is one of this nation's premier national
treasures. Nowhere else in the world does one park offer as much
diversity
in enjoyment to the public as does our first national park.
I had the opportunity to see the beauty of the park first hand last
month
when I traveled from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful on a next
generation
personal snow machine. I can tell you first hand that a low-emission,
high
technology snowmobile is a wonderful way to see and experience
Yellowstone
National Park.
Montanans are fortunate to have this treasure in our backyard. Not only
does Yellowstone offer unsurpassed wildlife and environmental
qualities, but
it also is a significant economic force for gateway communities like
West
Yellowstone and Gardiner, and the entire state. Visitors interested in
experiencing Yellowstone Park often take time to visit other parts of
Montana.
Once a community that thrived during summer months and hibernated during
winter, West Yellowstone has emerged as an economically viable business
community year-round. With its high annual snowfall, easy access to
Yellowstone Park and wonderful wintertime accommodations, West
Yellowstone
has become snowmobile capital of the world.
Unfortunately, the increased interest in Yellowstone Park during winter
months has brought with it some accompanying environmental impacts.
Snowmobiles during popular days, lined the entrance to Yellowstone Park
creating noise and pollution. While the West entrance has never
exceeded
either state or federal air quality laws, the impacts were unacceptable.
The Clinton Administration initiated a complete ban on snowmobile
access to
Yellowstone Park in late 2000. Snowmobiles were to be phased out over a
couple of years starting this coming winter. If this plan had gone into
effect, the impacts to the economy of West Yellowstone would have been
devastating.
I was very encouraged that our hard work on this issue paid off with the
recent order setting aside enforcement of that 2000 snowmobile rule.
This is
positive news for Montana businesses that were suffering recent
financial
harm from other court decisions. I hope that all travelers know that
Yellowstone is open and waiting for visitors.
I have made economic development the cornerstone of my Administration.
My
efforts are aimed at not only creating a good paying business base, but
also
in retaining the business base we have. I have also made it very clear,
that we should not sacrifice the environment for the sake of economic
development.
I believe we can have both.
I believe we can protect the Yellowstone environment, while respecting
the
role West Yellowstone plays in Montana's economy. This choice allows
for
personal access to Yellowstone Park via the preferred mode of
transportation: snowmobiles. This choice also recognizes that a natural
resource like Yellowstone Park has limits and that to protect
Yellowstone
for the future, we have to be careful stewards today.
This choice pursues the middle ground that often eludes us in federal
land
management. It is a decision that avoids the "winner take all"
position all
too familiar in public land discussions. It is a decision that requires
movement and understanding from all sides of the current debate.
That compromise will allows for set numbers of clean and quiet,
low-emission, high technology snow machines on designated routes in
Yellowstone Park.
The technology for clean and quiet snowmobiles is here now. Several
major
manufacturers of snowmobiles are already mass-producing four stroke
snowmobiles engines with significantly lower emissions.
Cleaner emissions will dramatically reduce the associated contamination
from
current snowmobile use. These new technology machines also operate in a
quieter fashion, thus making for a more enjoyable experience for all
winter
visitors to Yellowstone. I'm pleased to understand that all of the
snowmobile providers have shown leadership and are using these new
machines
even thought they are not mandated to do so.
Additionally, we must manage reasonable numbers of machines in the park.
Continued growth in snowmobile access through West Yellowstone's
entrance
cannot be sustained into the future. Reasonable numbers will help
assure a
better quality experience for all who choose to enjoy Yellowstone in the
winter.
I am happy to join with the Governors of Idaho and Wyoming in
supporting an
alternative that does not put our environment at risk, but finds
compromise
in how we deal with visitors of Yellowstone National Park. The
compromise
supported by the three governors includes limited access of clean, quiet
snowmobiles on designated routes only.
That is they way I saw the beauty of the park last month. This
confirmed my
opinion for the need for middle ground. It is my hope that a sound
solution
to this issue will ensure the economic vitality of West Yellowstone long
into the future.
# # #
Kris Goss
Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
