Preserving Yellowstone

The U.S. National Parks are known for their beauty, forests, and wildlife. They strive to preserve the natural habitat unique to each park. However, this is becoming harder to preserve due to people riding snowmobiles in the parks. They are leading to the destruction and pollution of the parks. 

In Yellowstone alone, "more than 60,000 snowmobiles zoom" through the park (Bluewater). According to Bluewater Network, an association for the protection of land, water, and air, "most snowmobiles are powered by two-stroke engines, which dump 25-30% of their fuel unburned out the tailpipe." Air pollution is so bad in Yellowstone now, workers have to wear respirators to protect themselves. Also, snowmobiles produce a very loud noise-which, studies show, can be heard 90% of the time in Yellowstone (Bluewater). A third problem that comes about from allowing snowmobile use in the park is that it's driving out many of the animals that make Yellowstone their home. 

Bluewater Network has been leading efforts to ban snowmobiles from all National Parks and public lands. They do so to preserve what National Parks are all about-"to protect and preserve our wild heritage for the enjoyment for future generations."
Yellowstone has restricted some areas from being used by snowmobile riders, however, some people continue to cross the line and ride their anyway. According to Yellowstone Press releases, a couple people found trespassing the snowmobile boundaries were arrested for doing so. 

The decision to set strict limits on both the emissions and numbers of snowmobiles allowed in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks was signed on March 25th, by Karen Wade, director of the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service. Previously referred to as the Record of Decision (ROD), the document ends years of planning efforts to determine how these parks should be visited in the winter.