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PLAY IN THE PARKS: On December 19, 2007, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway opens for the 2007-2008 season.

First, the good news is that there will be snowmobile access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks this winter. Let me quote from the park service August 18, 2007, update: "The final regulations will propose a transition period for portions of the temporary plans to remain in effect. This is to provide the parks, park visitors and gateway communities with certainty and stability."

Note the details of this season's access to the parks are covered in the explanation of the EIS timeline covered later in this update.

And now let me cover the highlights of the just released August 18, 2007, park service update on the DEIS and proposed rule comment periods.

First, during the DEIS comment period a total of 122,000 comments were received. Of those comments 6,000 are considered substantive. The comments on the proposed rule only totaled 2,000.

What will happened to these comments? The National Park Service (NPS) is reviewing the comments received on both the DEIS and Proposed Rule. The Final EIS and Final Regulation (Rule) will include a discussion of the comments received and the NPS responses. These comment may cause the NPS to revise the Final EIS and/or Final Rule.

What are the themes of the comments according to the NPS update? There are four different themes from the 122,000 comments. The themes, in simple terms, are 1. To maintain the temporary rule use levels at 720 machines. 2. Transition to SnowCoaches only. 3. Allow for non-commercially guiding, provide for some non-BAT machines use and keep Sylvan Pass open. 4. Allow increased use levels.

Before I continue this update, I want to thank all who commented on "Draft Winter Use Plans Draft Environmental Impact Statement" (DEIS) for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. And those who also commented on the "Proposed Rule"; that rulemaking process supports, but is separate from, the Winter Use Plans Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Your comments will make a difference in the Final EIS and Final Rule!

What is the timeline to complete the EIS process and provide a rule that regulates Winter Use of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks?

October 2007, the "Final Winter Use Plans Environmental Impact Statement" (FEIS) for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway will be released.

Note: there is no additional comment period on the FEIS.

Next, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) requires a 30-day waiting period after completion of FEIS before a Record of Decision (ROD) can be signed.

In mid-November 2007, Record of Decision (ROD) will issued from the Regional Office of the Park Service in Denver. The ROD is the agency's final decision and the reason for the decision.

Note: The ROD is not appealable under Park Service Regulations. The ROD can only be challenged in court.

Also in mid-November, the final rule will be published. The final rule implements the Record of Decision (ROD). There is usually a 30-day waiting period after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register before the rule goes into effect. Note: It is possible for the rinal rule to go into effect sooner if necessary. Again, the Final Regulation is not appealable.

Finally, what about this coming season and winter use? On December 19, 2007, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway opens for the 2007-2008 season.

Note: Whatever the long term decision on winter use in the parks, the final rule will allow a transition period during the winter of 2007-2008 season (this coming season). There will be provisions of the temporary plan that has been in effect for the last three seasons to remain in effect. All entrances will be open, and snowmobiles will all be BAT and commercially guided, with a limit of 720 snowmobiles per day.

Note, the implementation of any changes to road grooming, entrance allocations, closing of Sylvan Pass and the east gate would be in effect beginning with next season, the winter of 2008/2009 season.

In closing, I would like to quote a written statement issued in May by Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (NPS).

"The NPS promise to governmental and non-governmental stakeholders is to open information sharing. We will actively listen to and acknowledge concerns. We will let you know where timely agency and public input was incorporated in the EIS, and how it did/did not influence NPS decisions."

I believe that the park service has done an outstanding job of keeping stakeholders updated on the entire winter use EIS process and I thank them!

In addition, in May the park service stated: "The NPS will consider all comments offered. As with past comment periods, NPS will not tally or weigh comments according the NUMBER of times the same comment is received since this is not a 'voting' opportunity to count numbers of expressed preferences for or against the alternatives. All comments received during the comment period will be placed in the administrative record."

I believe with the above in mind the park service has the potential, using good science, to reach a decision that will allow continued access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway by snowmobile. I look forward to
their decision!

For continued updates please continue to visit our dedicated website of www.saveyellowstonepark.com.