And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: via: "Wild Rockies Alerts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >From the National Parks Conservation Association Newsletter Yellowstone ParkWatcher! Date: 3/1/99 4:25:12 PM Eastern Standard Time From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Nancy Thomas) Subject: Yellowstone Park Watcher! Date: Monday, March 1, 1999 -- YELLOWSTONE BISON: GOOD NEWS & BAD NEWS While the State of Montana continues to slaughter bison moving out of Yellowstone National Park in search of forage (17 bison shot and killed so far this winter), the State and the National Park Service are beginning negotiations on a long-range plan and final environmental impact statement that will guide bison management. Good progress has been made on the federal level. The US Forest Service has agreed to alter their grazing allotment dates to better accommodate bison. Under the more flexible rules, the agency will not allow cattle onto public lands until 30 days after the last bison goes back into the park. Such a separation will ensure that bison do not come in contact with cattle and reduces to practically zero the chance for bison to transmit brucellosis to cattle (transmission which still has yet to be proven). In addition, the Animal, Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has agreed to stop threatening the State of Montana with removal of favorable status that allows the state to ship cattle out of state without testing them. The possible loss of this status has long been an excuse the state used to rationalize its hard line position on killing park bison. HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO: As negotiations now begin on the bison management plan between the park and the state, written letters are needed to Montana Governor Marc Racicot. Remind him that his continued hard line gives Montana a bad image -- one that extols the virtues of its wildlife to tourists in ads, but slaughters the famed herd when tourists are hibernating. Tell him that there is now no reasonable excuse to continue killing bison, particularly at West Yellowstone where no cattle are present for 50 miles to contract the already tiny chance of disease transmission. Remind him that the ultimate authority on brucellosis -- APHIS -- has determined that current management practices do not threaten cattle nor the state's brucellosis-free status. Tell him to stop making excuses and get serious to protect a great Montana asset and national heritage -- its wild bison! Contact Information: The Honorable Marc Racicot Montana State Capitol Helena, MT 59620 DON'T OPEN YELLOWSTONE TO MORE WINTER TRAFFIC!! Sources close to Yellowstone National Park have reported to NPCA the park is considering a plan which would open up for the first time two lodges for winter use in the heart of the park. Currently, only the Snow Lodge at Old Faithful and the Mammoth Hotel at the park's northern entrance are open during the winter season. The proposal is being considered as part of the park's new Commercial Service Plan which will guide any activities offered in the park which would result in compensation to an individual, organization or corporation. NPCA fears that doubling the lodges available to visitors will greatly increase snowmobiling and other forms of winter recreation. These activities will place additional stress on park wildlife (including wolves and bison) at a time when their energy reserves are the lowest, and will diminish the solitude and tranquillity now found there. Of the two lodges under consideration at Roosevelt and Canyon, the later is particularly worrisome as it will make travel tours more accessible from Cody, Wyoming and the park's eastern entrance. Travelers will come through the park's famed Hayden Valley where wildlife such as bison abound. The additional visitation could be particularly disruptive to them. HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO: We need to stop this ill-conceived plan dead in its tracks! Please urge the park to drop any consideration of expanding winter facilities in their Commercial Services Plan. Express your concerns on behalf of wildness, wildlife and winter tranquillity in such a move. Contact information: Michael Finley, Superintendent Yellowstone National Park WY 82190 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Remember to send us copies of your letters if you can! Send them via email to [EMAIL PROTECTED], or send them to: NPCA/Grassroots, 1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036. Thanks for everything you do! ************************************************************************ List-Subscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> List-Unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> News Submissions or Problems: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> This list is a public service provided by WIN: http://www.wildrockies.org &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
