The
International Flat Earth Society (FES) is a nonprofit organization
opposed to the idea that the Earth is spherical. Members believe that
“the known, inhabited world is flat” and that the tenets of modern
science are a “way-out occult concoction of jibberish theory-theology.”
Most American’s would be shocked by FES’ positions. But they might
be even more shocked to learn that the snowmobile industry and some of
its supporters share the FES’ deep sense of denial and a stubborn
rejection of any scientific evidence that does not support their
beliefs.
The snowmobile lobby’s statements on the use of snowmobiles in
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks demonstrate an eerie kinship
with the attitudes of the FES. For example, snowmobile lobbyists
continue to characterize as “pure fiction” any claim that their
machines degrade air and water quality.
Snowmobile advocates argue that any environmental damage caused by
snowmobiles simply disappears with the snow melts. When presented with
overwhelming evidence of ongoing and persistent damage, these
apologists spin the harm as a positive, characterizing machine noise
and erosion as “signs of progress and beauty.”
Some snowmobile supporters, who understand the difficulty of
refuting the growing evidence of snowmobile damage, resort to
demonizing civil servants in the hope of sabotaging the regulatory
process. Federal employees are often cast in a negative light and
accused of being “hell-bent” on locking up federal lands while pushing
an agenda that “attacks rural Americans.” Moreover, civil servants are
accused of manipulating public processes. For example, the snowmobile
industry has argued that the Park Service extended the last period of
public comment only to accommodate the agenda of environmental
organizations.
The snowmobile industry’s growing frenzy should not distract the
public from the troublesome facts about the problems caused by
snowmobiles in our national parks.
Two-stroke motors power nearly all snowmobiles on the market
today. Recent research by the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
confirms that two-stroke engines spew 25 to 30 percent of their
gas-and-oil mixture unburned out the tailpipe. Studies by the
University of Denver found that, although Yellowstone’s snowmobiles
represent less than 7 percent of the park’s vehicle traffic, they are
responsible for roughly 27 percent of the park’s carbon monoxide (CO)
pollution and 77 percent of its hydrocarbon (HC) pollution.
CARB’s examination also found that so-called “cleaner and quieter”
thrillcraft engines do not solve all air and water quality problems. In
fact, these new engines can emit pollutants - such as nitrogen oxides
(NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and formaldehyde - at greater levels than
comparable two-stroke engines. Moreover, “cleaner and quieter”
snowmobiles are unlikely to reduce the machine’s impact upon wildlife,
public safety and traffic congestion.
Wildlife biologists across North America are documenting the
damage snowmobiles inflict on wildlife. Studies near Grand Teton found
that snowmobiles - even when restricted to groomed trails - push moose
out of preferred winter habitats, thereby reducing their ability to
find food and conserve energy.
Snowmobiles also impact wildlife from great distances and can
change the dynamics of entire populations. Canadian scientists have
found that snowmobiles can spook caribou from more than a quarter-mile
away. At Yellowstone, a 20-year study discovered that the groomed
trails built to accommodate snowmobiles were encouraging the westward
migration of bison out of Yellowstone and into Montana. In Montana,
state livestock officials capture or kill the bison, fearing that they
may expose cattle to disease. When the bison are removed, resident
predator species, such as wolves and grizzly bears, lose an important
food source.
Snowmobiles blast noise at levels similar to that of a busy city
street. The noise carries great distances, shattering the tranquility
of the park and disrupting the enjoyment of other park visitors. At
Grand Teton, snowmobiles on groomed roads can easily be heard a mile
away. In Yellowstone, a study found that visitors to the Old Faithful
geyser were subjected to snowmobile noise more than 90 percent of the
time.
Snowmobiling is a dangerous sport. According to the Consumer
Product Safety Commission, roughly 10,000 people are treated every year
in emergency rooms for snowmobile-related injuries. Furthermore, a
recent study by Michael G. Landen, MD found that people who snowmobile
frequently are almost nine times more likely to suffer death or injury
in accidents than automobile drivers on a per-mile comparison. During
one holiday weekend this past winter, nine snowmobile riders were
killed in Michigan alone.
The snowmobile industry asserts that a snowmobile ban will cripple
the park’s gateway economies, but the opposite may be true. In March
2001, the Park Service prohibited snowmobile operation due to a lack of
snow. West Yellowstone’s records show that during the month-long ban,
resort receipts were up more than 66 percent as compared to the
previous March. These records indicate that communities surrounding the
park need not rely solely on income derived from snowmobile riders. In
fact, snowmobile operations may be hurting their long-term economic
survival.
A snowmobile prohibition in the parks will greatly improve air
quality, reduce wildlife harassment, restore natural sounds, protect
public safety and may benefit the local economies.
Common sense requires that sound public policy, such as the
phaseout of snowmobiles, be based upon fact and careful study.
Unfortunately, the industry’s denial and hysteria threaten to undermine
the process. Late in 2000, the snowmobile industry sued to overturn an
environmental impact statement (EIS) that would have phased out
snowmobiles from Yellowstone and Grand Teton by the winter of
2003-2004. (The Bush administration has capitulated to the industry and
agreed to draft a second Environmental Impact Statement.)
If Yellowstone is to be saved, the Park Service must hear from the
overwhelming majority of citizens who support the removal of these
damaging thrillcraft. At the end of the last comment period in 2001, 82
percent of all letters expressed a preference for removing snowmobiles
from the park.
Most Americans would agree that it would be unwise to allow the
Flat Earth Society to set policy for NASA. A growing number of
Americans now are asking why the narrow views of the snowmobile
industry should be used to determine environmental policy for our
national parks.
Bluewater Goes Independent
In April, the Bluewater Network became an independent project. Please see the joint announcement in “Making Waves.”
Sean Smith is Public Lands Director for Bluewater and a former US National Park Ranger.
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