Scoping For New Yellowstone Winter Use Plan Ends March 30

Informational meetings and a public comment period for a new Yellowstone Winter Use Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) began January 29, and continues through March 30. Individuals, groups, and agencies have until the end of the month to submit written comments on the purpose, need and objectives, as well as the issues and alternatives they would like to be considered in the new plan.

This long-term plan will guide the management of winter use in the park to ensure that park visitors have a range of appropriate winter opportunities, that these activities are in a suitable setting, and that they do not impair or irreparably harm park resources or values.

A scoping brochure is available at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yell. Additional information about winter use planning and visiting the parks in the winter can be found at http://www.nps.gov/yell/winteruse.htm.

A draft EIS and proposed rule are expected to be released in the spring of 2011 for public review. The NPS intends to complete the EIS process and issue any new regulations prior to the start of the 2011-2012 winter season.

The park is holding a series of open houses to provide the public an opportunity to learn more about the issue in order to provide comments which will be analyzed and used in preparation of the EIS. An open house in Cody, Wyoming, has been added to the two already scheduled in March:

• March 15: Cheyenne, WY, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Little America Inn and Resort, 200 West Lincolnway.
• March 17: Washington, D.C., from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in The Old Post Office, 12th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
• March 22: Cody, WY, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Cody Club room of the Cody Auditorium, at the corner of Beck Avenue & 13th Street.

Public scoping comments will be accepted until midnight Eastern Time, March 30, 2010. Comments should be substantive, pertinent, and provide new information not available in earlier winter use planning processes.

Respondents are being encouraged to submit their comments online at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yell.

Comments may also be mailed to: Winter Use Scoping, Yellowstone National Park, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190. Finally, comments may be hand-delivered to Yellowstone National Park headquarters in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming. Comments will not be accepted by fax, e-mail, or in any other way than those specified above.