Rep. Collin Peterson - Peterson Testifies on Snowmobile Ban

CONGRESSMAN
COLLIN C. PETERSON

Minnesota - 7th District http://www.house.gov/collinpeterson/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2000
CONTACT: Rob Larew @ 202-225-2165

Peterson Testifies on Snowmobile Ban

Calls Park Service Action “Crazy”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-MN 7th District) criticized efforts by the National Park Service to ban snowmobiles at a hearing on Thursday before the House Committee on Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands. "It really is crazy what they're trying to do here," Peterson said of the National Park Service's decision.

“The Park Service decision to ban snowmobiles from our National Parks was totally arbitrary and without any factual basis,” Peterson said. “Rather than conducting a scientific Environmental Impact Statement and receiving public comments from all interested parties, the Park Service jumped at a complaint by a small group of environmentalists from San Francisco.”

Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Donald J. Barry said, “Snowmobiles are noisy, antiquated machines that are no longer welcome in our parks.”

Peterson responded, “Mr. Barry’s action 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.”

The Park Service ban was based on Executive Orders issued by President Nixon in 1972 and by President Carter in 1977. These Orders require each park to monitor and manage snowmobile use. The Park Service’s own survey found that few parks followed this regulation.

“The Park Service failed to do what they were supposed to do, and now they want to exclude people instead of working with them to fix the problem,” said Peterson. “Rather than ban snowmobiles outright, the Park Service should work with park users and the industry. I am 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”

National Parks were created by Congress to ensure access by the public to the natural treasures. Snowmobiles often provide the only means of access to some areas of the larger National Parks.

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