Burns Makes a Bad Decision for Yellowstone National Park

As reported by the Helena Independent Record on July 6, 2006, the rule that allows snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park could be extended through at least 2010 under a provision included by Montana Senator Conrad Burns.

Burns, who chairs the Interior Appropriations Subcomittee, authored the provision in a spending bill that funds the Interior Department and other agencies for 2007.

Burns’ provision extends the current rule that allows up to 720 snowmobiles a day in the park. The measure would keep this rule in place for three years or until the Interior Department issues a final rule on the use of snowmobiles in Yellowstone, which is due late next year.

If that new rule is challenged in court, Burns’ provision would reinstate the current rule for a period of up to three years.

Matt Mackowiak, a spokesman for Senator Burns, asserts the senator included the provision because Burns wanted to provide more certainty to businesses and communities near Yellowstone and to snowmobiling visitors to the Park. In addition, Burns wanted to thwart litigation that might take ensue on the final rule. Or, as a Burns’ spokesman stated to the Helena Independent Record, “It will protect the winter use season from frivolous lawsuits and liberal judges.”

The full Senate must still approve the spending bill. The House version of the legislation, which passed that chamber in May, did not contain Burns’ snowmobiling provision.

For More Information or To Take Action, Contact:

Please contact Conrad Burns and tell him to follow the recent policy directive set forth by new Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne that asserts in a case of conflict, conservation will trump commercial or recreational activities in our national parks!

Also ask Senator Burns to explain why he did not hold a single public hearing on his controversial legislative rider.