Park Service to Study Snowmobiles’ Effects; Restrictions Could Follow

The National Park Service will study the effect of snowmobiles on the park system, a move that could lead to restrictions on where the noisy, smoky machines can be used.

The study was prompted by a petition from environmental groups for a ban on snowmobiles in national parks. Once the review is done this fall, the Park Service will decide whether to propose new restrictions, Chip Davis, the agency’s regulations program manager, said Wednesday.

An announcement of the study is expected later this month.

Snowmobiles are permitted in 28 park units, with the heaviest use by far in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks in Wyoming, and at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.

The study will entail a broad look at snowmobile use in the parks “to see what impacts have been observed, how many have occurred and what resources are affected,” Davis said.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced this year that it plans to propose emission standards for snowmobiles that would be likely to force manufacturers to redesign or replace the two-stroke engine standard on snowmobiles and some all-terrain vehicles.

The Bluewater Network, a coalition of environmental groups that petitioned the Park Service, contends that snowmobiles are killing wildlife, ruining air and water quality, and destroying solitude in the parks.

“We’re thrilled that the [Park Service] is acknowledging that snowmobiles have extremely serious impacts to the park system, and hopefully their review will flesh those out in detail,” said Russell Long, the coalition’s executive director.

Snowmobile manufacturers deny the machines are damaging parks but say they are developing quieter and cleaner models. The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Assn. said the petition was based on outdated research and inflated emissions data.

“As long as it’s based on facts, we have no difficulty in dealing with the issues,” said Ed Klim, president of the manufacturers group.

The Park Service is already considering restrictions on snowmobiles in Yellowstone because of a lawsuit by the Fund for Animals and other environmental groups. One plan under review would stop snowmobiles from using the road between Old Faithful and the park’s popular West Yellowstone gateway. About 63,000 snowmobiles entered the park last winter.

In Voyageurs, snowmobiles have been banned from areas where gray wolves feed.

U.S. sales of snowmobiles have doubled since 1992 to more than 160,000 units a year.