Interior Department settles lawsuit over snowmobiling

By Major Garrett
CNN White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Interior Department Friday settled a lawsuit with snowmobile manufacturers and outdoor enthusiasts that opens the way for wider recreational snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.

The settlement does not override a Clinton administration rule banning recreational snowmobiling in these two national parks and the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway. But it does allow for more public comment on the issue, and some environmentalists fear settlement of the suit foreshadows a loosening of the Clinton-era ban.

"The settlement guarantees that local communities, business owners and others who have told us their voices weren't sufficiently heard during the rushed snowmobile rulemaking process will have an opportunity for comment," said Mark Pfeifle, a spokesman for the Interior Department.

"Ultimately, recreational use of snowmobiles in National Parks will only be permitted if the cherished environment and natural resource values are protected for the enjoyment of our children and future generations of Americans."

Environmentalists criticized the decision.

"Sadly, the Bush administration's sellout of Yellowstone to the snowmobile industry overrides the professional judgment of park rangers and the men and women charged with ensuring the health of our environment nationwide," said Sean Smith, Public Lands Director for Bluewater Network and former Yellowstone Park ranger.

The settlement gives the National Park Service until Jan. 21, 2002, to publish a supplemental environmental impact statement on snowmobiling. The Park Service has until March 15 of that year to publish any proposed modifications to the snowmobiling ban. A final regulation covering snowmobiling is called for by November 15, 2002.

"This administration feels strongly that greater local input, new information, scientific data and economic analysis and wider public involvement can only lead to better, more-informed decisions," Pfeifle said.

The president of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, Ed Klim, praised the settlement.

"We expect to prove that the studies on which the Clinton administration based its ban were flawed and highly prejudiced," said Klim. "What's more, in the previous decision-making process, the public was prevented from participating as fully as the law allows. The agreement helps ensure that that won't happen this time around."

The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, the state of Wyoming and groups of outdoor enthusiasts filed suit against the ban, arguing that newer, quieter and less-polluting snowmobiles could address environmental concerns about excessive noise and pollution.