The Winter Wonderland of Yellowstone

The Winter Wonderland of Yellowstone

•Problem: impacts to air; impacts to wildlife; impacts to soundscape

•Management Strategies: limit use; reduce the impact of use

•Management Practices: facility development/ site design/maintenance; rationing/allocation; rules/regulations; law enforcement

The Winter Wonderland of Yellowstone

•1872, Yellowstone National Park, first in world

•Geothermal features•60% of world’s geysers•Part of Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem•1950s – first snowmobiles in park•1960s – park begins grooming oversnow trails

•Air and noise pollution stress winter wildlife

•Late 1990s – nearly 800 snowmobiles per day

The Winter Wonderland of Yellowstone

•Multiple lawsuits, interim plans•Technology requirements for snowmobiles

•Daily snowmobile and snowcoach limit•Guides required•Speed limits of 35 to 45 mph•$5,000 fine for off-trail travel•Travel between 7am and 9pm•Long-term planning efforts

Yellowstone National Park

The Winter Wonderland of Yellowstone

•Snowmobile Best Available Technology list

•Winter Visitor Travel Routes map