National Park Service Completes Yellowstone Winter Use Plan

The National Park Service released a winter use plan for the next two seasons.  The plan was the result of an environmental assessment and public review last fall.  Under this new plan, Yellowstone National Park will allow up to 318 commercially-guided, Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles, and up to 78 commercially guided snowcoaches per day in the park.  Motorized oversnow travel over Sylvan Pass and the East Entrance road are also allowed.

The average number of snowmobiles entering the park during the 2008/2009 winter season was 205 per day, with a peak of 426 on December 29. 

The National Park Service will conduct a new Environmental Impact report over the next two years to develop a long-term strategy.

Story at The Examiner

Yellowstone’s Celebrity Wolves Killed in Montana’s Wolf Hunt

The authorized wolf hunt in Montana was a bit too effective this year.  Hunters killed nine wolves in the state wilderness area along the northern border of Yellowstone National Park.  Four of the wolves killed were from the park’s Cottonwood Pack, including the pack’s breeding female and the state’s celebrity wolves.  The dead even included radio-collared wolves that were part of Yellowstone’s wolf studies and were featured on PBS and Discovery Channel programs.

Wildlife commissioners suspended the wolf hunt last week after state officials became concerned about the heavy killing in the area.  Critics point out there is no livestock in the wilderness area, meaning the wolves are being slaughtered for no good reason.

“We’ve missed the mark a little this first year,” said Carolyn Sime, lead wolf biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  Turns out that killing wolves was easier than expected.

Story at Investigate West

Zion National Park Warming Faster than Most of Earth

A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization says that Zion National Park and the Colorado river basin is warming at a faster pace than any other spot on the planet outside the arctic.  The report says that will affect snow and water levels and possibly lead to the loss of plants and wildlife in the area.  All of Utah’s national parks are in danger, though Zion faces the most immediate problems.

Warmer temperatures are melting glaciers at alarming rates, causing sea levels to rise and threatening coastal parks such as Acadia, Cape Hatteras and Everglades.  But the repercussions don’t end there.  Hotter and drier conditions, and extreme storms and flooding, put plant communities everywhere at risk.  With habitats and food sources devastated, wildlife are already struggling to survive.

More on Climate Change

Expedia Launches Website for National Park Trips

Expedia is partnering with the National Park Foundation on a new website to help travelers planning trips to national parks.  The site was launched to coincide with Ken Burns’ new documentary on PBS, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”

The site includes downloadable park maps, lodging and other content from the National Park Foundation.  The site uses Expedia travel reservations to book reservations outside the parks, but it cannot reserve campsites or lodges within the parks.  For in-park stays, you need to visit the National Parks website.

The site also includes suggestions for long weekend getaways and a series called “Can’t-Miss National Parks.”  The first five parks featured in the series are the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Olympic and Yosemite.

Expedia National Park Trip website