CONGRESSMAN
COLLIN C. PETERSON
Minnesota - 7th District http://www.house.gov/collinpeterson/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2000
CONTACT: Rob Larew @ 202-225-2165
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-MN 7th District) today criticized the National Park Service’s announcement that it will ban the use of snow machines from National Parks.
“The Park Service says that existing regulations from 25 years ago gives them the power to take this action, but I think they are way out of line on this one,” Peterson said.
The Park Service has made their determination based on Executive Orders issued by President Nixon in 1972 and by President Carter in 1977. According to Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Donald J. Barry, “Snowmobiles are noisy, antiquated machines that are no longer welcome in our parks.”
“In my view this action is completely unwarranted and unfounded. It ignores and insults an industry that has made great strides in reducing noise and cleaning up the air. If he really wants to improve the environment in the National Parks it would make more sense to ban cars.”
Working in conjunction with the Park Service, Arctic Cat has committed to supplying 50 advanced concept machines for their dealer in Yellowstone National Park to provide as rental equipment for park visitors next year. These machines are equipped with an advanced 4-stroke engine that is quieter and cleaner.
“Maybe the Assistant Secretary should get out of his Washington office more often and see what is really going on. I’m going to ask Resources Committee Chairman Don Young to hold hearings on this action by the Park Service as soon as Congress reconvenes,” Peterson said. “I am also going to draft legislation to void the underlying Executive Orders so that we can resolve this nonsense directly and get the Park Service straightened out on this issue.”
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