[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2005

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                               speech of

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4568) making 
     appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related 
     agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and 
     for other purposes:
  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I would like to submit this letter which I 
sent to Secretary Norton. This letter concerns an amendment to H.R. 
4568 regarding winter use of snowmobiles at Yellowstone and Grand Teton 
National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway.

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, June 18, 2004
     Hon. Gail A. Norton,
     Secretary of the Interior, U.S. Department of the Interior, 
         Washington, D.C.
       Dear Secretary Norton: I am writing regarding winter use of 
     snowmobiles at Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and 
     the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway.
       As you know, this week the House of Representatives voted 
     narrowly to defeat an amendment to the House Interior 
     Appropriations bill, which provided for a total ban of 
     snowmobile access to the parks. I voted against the 
     amendment, but only with the understanding that the National 
     Park Service intends to implement a plan that ensures the 
     protection of the wildlife and natural beauty of these 
     American treasures for current and future generations.
       I believe the concerns of snowmobile emissions and noise at 
     the parks are valid and must be addressed. I realize that the 
     newer ``four-stroke'' snowmobiles reduce emissions and noise 
     significantly. While I believe these advances in snowmobile 
     technology merit reconsideration of winter use at the parks, 
     I believe the Park Service must carefully consider the short 
     and long-term alternatives. I seek your assurance that NPS 
     will determine an appropriate winter use plan that balances 
     the need to protect the parks' unique environment with 
     appropriate means of access, even if that includes the 
     snowcoach only alternative.
       I understand the Park Service is considering alternatives 
     that include one that would allow only snowcoaches, and 
     others that include restrictions on the number of snowmobiles 
     that may enter the parks each day, technology requirements, 
     guiding requirements, and where snowmobile travel is 
     appropriate. I do believe our parks should be accessible. But 
     if an alternative that includes snowmobile access is to be 
     implemented, I think it is critical that such access not 
     detract from the experiences of those who prefer to explore 
     the parks in other ways.
       I appreciate the Park Service's efforts to find a balanced 
     solution that I hope will enhance the experiences for 
     everyone who visits these magnificent parks. Thank you for 
     considering my comments as NPS moves forward with its short 
     and long-term winter use revisions.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Rob Portman,
     Representative.

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