NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

Snowmobiles
   In reading over the letters addressing snowmobiles in Yellowstone [April/May 2002], I found that Mr. Gerber's comments were very shortsighted. It isn't just the cross-country skiers that use the park. There are many others who venture out into the park just to observe the beauty and the peace that snow brings to an area such as Yellowstone. In addition, he seems to fail to look at the noise and pollution damage vehicles such as snowmobiles create. And, yes, it is the intent that the noise level in parks remains at a reasonable echelon so as not to disturb any life, wild or otherwise.
   I have hiked through many areas where noise from vehicles of all sorts ruins the peaceful beauty of the outdoors. Maybe snowmobile enthusiasts should look for ways to reduce the impact of their vehicles rather than continue to pollute already endangered areas.
Mike Riley
Oak Harbor, Washington

   After reading the letters section [April/May 2002], I feel compelled to respond to Mr. Gerber's letter.
   Mr. Gerber, what you fail to see is that "your" park is also "my" park. When the results of your in-park activity infringe upon my ability to participate in my chosen in-park activities, your activity should be prohibited. Your snowmobile riding does infringe upon my use of the park. Your machine does generate a lot of noise and a lot of toxic emissions. I can hear you coming from a long way off, and I can hear, and smell you, a long time after you have gone by. This is detrimental to my activities when visiting "my" park. In fact, it is detrimental to my health, period.
   As an individual, your snowmobiling has no effect upon my activity, unless you are harassing the wildlife. However, when your individual use is multiplied by figures far less than the current snowmobile census for Yellowstone on any given weekend, my park experience is ruined. You have, in effect, prevented me from visiting what is, as a citizen, my park.
   Maybe your 1 percent is a reflection of the obnoxiousness of your activity. Maybe the number of non-snowmobiling visits would increase if it were possible to ski along the Firehole without the constant whine of your machines, or that sickening exhaust.
George Hinde
Murray, UT

   I support the ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park! The noise and pollution generated by snowmobiles and their effect on wildlife make for less-than-appealing visits to the park. Yellowstone is to be cherished for its unparalleled beauty and serene stillness. Those who worry over the loss of income if snowmobiling were eliminated have a legitimate complaint, but getting snowmobiles out of the park is the right thing to do, even if doing the right thing is hard.
   I ask: Have you had the privilege of visiting Yellowstone? Have you taken your family to this wonder-filled place within our shores? If you haven't, do it. You will see that this is truly a special place. The National Park Service needs the funding to repair and update this treasure that we, as Americans, have been so blessed with.
   "Determine that the right thing can and shall be done, and then . . . find the way."—Abraham Lincoln
Janet Hendrix
Allen, TX

   As a former Wyoming resident who has gagged on snowmobiles' noxious fumes in Yellowstone National Park, I must take exception to the NPCA's repeated statements that snowmobiles are an inappropriate way to see the park. The truth is that snowmobiles are an excellent way to see the park, particularly since automobile traffic is prohibited in winter. The problem is not snowmobiles, per se, rather that they are filthy, noisy, and disgustingly inefficient machines. If you were to focus on requiring lower snowmobile emissions and noise pollution, I would support your efforts. As it is, I consider your proposed ban on snowmobiles to be akin to throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Brian Cooke
White Plains, NY

   I visited Yellowstone Park in early January of this year. Before I made the trip, I had read about the snowmobile problem. We entered at the north entrance, and after several days there my children went to West Yellowstone to rent snowmobiles, while my wife, grandson, and I took a snowcoach into Old Faithful. The ride in on the snowcoach was the most uncomfortable trip I have taken, except possibly for the ride out on the coach. In addition, the stops were not long enough to see any of the sights. Twenty minutes at Norris Geyser Basin is not nearly enough time.
   I didn't find the snowmobiles to be that loud and found the convenience to be worth the expense. My wife, daughter, and I traveled around the loop in one day and were quite pleased with the experience. I cannot imagine the trip being as enjoyable if we had to travel in one of those uncomfortable snowcoaches.
   If the coach ride was not so uncomfortable, inconvenient, and expensive, perhaps the notion of eliminating snowmobiles would have some merit. Incidentally, if they are such a bad idea, why do the park rangers use them?
Frank A. Smith
Kent, OH

   In response to Jim Gerber's letter on "Desperately Seeking Silence," Mr. Gerber misses the point when he says: "Only 1 percent of the people who enter Yellowstone from West Yellowstone are cross-country skiers. Should we set 100 percent of the park aside in the winder for 1 percent (or 5 percent) of the people who want to use it?" The answer is that the park is primarily for its natural residents (i.e., flora and fauna), and less for human visitors. First and foremost, we humans must be caretakers of such unique irreplaceable treasures, not only for these residents but also for ourselves. When we concentrate solely on quantity, we deteriorate and sometimes even destroy the naturalness essential to quality park experiences.
   I cross-country skied in Yellowstone's Geyser Basin about 30 years ago, when little beyond the Old Faithful area was open in winter. Snowmobiles were a nuisance even then. Today there is far more snowmobile use, which is why cross-country skiers are "only 1 percent." It would be much better for the park's year-round health if things were like the old days, when skiers were 1 percent and snowmobilers were the other 1 percent. Let's leave the other 98 percent for nature!
Julian M. Babad
Tucson, AZ

   Thank you for your article "Desperately Seeking Silence." Having spent many pleasurable hours with my husband and children in national parks throughout the years, I have strong feelings about keeping them as tranquil and unpolluted as possible. I sincerely hope the Bush administration will give more thought to the snowmobile ban.
Betty Weber
Louisville, KY

   In response to Jim Gerber's letter, the reason that only about 1 percent of winter visitors to Yellowstone enjoy snowshoeing or cross country skiing is because of the snowmobile racket and pollution. It wasn't always this way. In the 1950s through the 1970s, several groups of us loved to camp in Yellowstone on wildlife trips in late November to March.
   We quit going, as many others have, because of the noise and pollution. It was no longer a beautiful winter experience. One percent is probably about right in today's terms. The trip isn't worth it anymore.
Glenn E. Walthall
Beaverton, OR

   Thank you for bringing to my attention the issue of snowmobiles in Yellowstone [ "Desperately Seeking Silence," Nov/Dec 2001]. One must wonder what kind of Yellowstone experience is gained from the seat of such a machine. It's probably akin to one's connection to nature while driving down a highway.
   In sharp contrast, the same issue was provided us by James Cahalan's remembrance of Edward Abbey's "Walking with a Ghost," which reminded us what is to be gained from experiencing the natural world at the slowest, and most intimate, pace possible—lon foot.
Kevin Gregory
Sunnyvale, CA

   I have enjoyed National Parks magazine for several years now and appreciate the sincere concern and work in trying to preserve the parks in a near natural state. The articles about our many national parks in this great country are quiet entertaining and educational. However, the article describing a NPCA staff member's experience with snowmobile use in Yellowstone during the winter is completely different than my experience and that of my family. We enjoyed the openness and fantastic views, beautiful weather, and the birds and animals feeding and hunting in their natural environment in order to survive the winter. Yes, there were a number of snowmobiles in the parking lot at Old Faithful, but when they were spread out over the many miles of groomed roads we could travel for miles without passing another snowmobile. At the many pullovers along the roads, we were quite often the only people there. The Park Service people were fantastic and very helpful in explaining various aspects of the park and its winter workings. I think it would be a great disservice to the American people who enjoy the outdoors in winter, and who are not cross-country ski savvy, to be completely banned from this great experience. After all, the park service is funded through our federal taxes, and we should all be privy to the use of our parks. I do think great effort should be placed in making the snowmobiles quieter and less polluting (such as using four-cycle engines). The technology of today should allow this to be accomplished with minimum costs to the snowmobile operators and to the public.
   My son, who visited the park during a recent summer, said it was close to a nightmarish experience at times because of the bumper-to-bumper automobile traffic in many of the park areas. He said he was glad that he had the opportunity to visit at a more peaceful time. Maybe some limitations on the future growth of the daily number of park visitors need to be addressed in both winter and summer to help reduce stress on the system. I hope all parties can mutually agree on a solution that will allow continuance of this grand experience for all.
Charles Smith
Marietta, GA

   National parks were established to preserve the environment, protect wildlife and provide citizens with the opportunity to enjoy nature. They are not wild water or snow rides, recreational theme parks funded by tax money, or economic enterprises designed to support local communities or the industry giants that profit from park misuse. The ban on motorized vehicles must be enforced and expanded before we destroy the very things the parks were created to protect.
Eric F. Antila
Dunnellon, FL

   Many years ago I went into the Allegheny National Forest and was awed to find perfect quiet. The only sounds to break the perfect silence were the bugs and the birds. Everyone should experience that peace and quiet at least once in her life.
It is extremely hard to get away from noise pollution in our society. Why shouldn't the National Park System be set aside as areas where machines that generate noise are restricted? Relative to the total area of the United States, this is a small geographical area that we are talking about. There are plenty of other areas to use these noise-generating machines.
   One respondent states that only 1 percent of the people who enter Yellowstone are cross-country skiers. Are we to assume that cross-country skiers are the only ones who prefer peace and quiet in Yellowstone? Furthermore, what percentage of the people who enter Yellowstone are people who use snowmobiles in the park?
I know from talking to people who have been on snowmobiles in Yellowstone that it is a wonderful experience. Nevertheless, we are a society where the majority is supposed to rule. What does the majority think?
Merlin Simons
Reno, NV

   We believe snowmobiles should be immediately banned from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, as they have been in Glacier National Park [Nov/Dec 2001]. They are totally incompatible with the enjoyment of the silent winter scene in the park for those who do not want to face the summer crowds.
   We backed the superintendent of our nearby Olympic National Park in banning jet skis, with similar engines, from its lakes. We succeeded in this as well as banning these polluting joyriders from San Juan Islands waters.
   We trust this plea, along with those of others, will enable you to not knuckle under to the pressure from manufacturers.
John Marx and Georgia Baciu
Friday Harbor, WA

   I take issue with Jim Gerber in the last issue. If it was never the intent of the Park Service to curtail noise, it was also never its intent to scare the animals to death in our nature parks. It was not its intent to create these parks for recreational vehicles, our cars included, which produce pollution of all kinds.
   I've driven in Yellowstone in the summer and was amazed at the car noises alone. What those poor animals must feel when the first days of a silent winter arrive, only to have their overly sensitive ears hear the magnified noise of snowmobiles tearing through their territory.
Shirl Brainard
Rio Rancho, NM

   As I live on Barrier Island, off the coast of South Carolina, I have little opportunity to experience the wonders of a snow-covered Yellowstone Park. Nonetheless, it's of abiding importance to me that it be savored in the noise and pollution-free state it was intended to be when originally designated a national park. I strongly urge you to help enact a permanent ban on the usage of snowmobiles within its confines.
   If "democracy" means that the desires and interests of the majority rules, we can't expect anything less.
Stefan A. Meyer
Fripp Island, SC

On the Rebound
   "On the Rebound," which outlined the plight of the mountain yellow-legged frog [Jan/Feb 2002] made me hopping mad. Instead of gill-netting trout to save the frogs, use your head. Make money for research and benefit people and animals at the same time.
   Here's how you can get rid of the non-native trout population:
1. Hold family fishing derbies, charge entry fees, and use the money for more research on the frogs.
2. Contact restaurants that serve trout (hundreds). Offer them fishing rights for a fee, let them handle transport, and use the money for research.
3. Contact zoos that have bears, such as grizzlies. Offer them fishing rights for a fee, and use the money for frog research.
4. Contact existing trout farms and offer free stock for the hauling.
5. Help Indian reservations set up trout farms. They can supply restaurants with trout, supply their own restaurants, or keep them for their own consumption.
   Wasting God's resources is shameful. Feed people and animals and save the frogs at the same time.
Stephanie Reed
Dublin, OH

Good News
   I am so glad to see NPCA featured on "The Kids Page" of the Los Angeles Times in the California Classroom Learning Link section. The national parks have meant so much to all my family. Thanks!
Christine Floyd
Washington, DC