Why allowing snowmobiles in Yellowstone is green.

• Author: Kristof, Nicholas D.
• Position: Perspectives - Yellowstone National Park - Brief Article

In the battle over snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park, the Bush administration has been pushing for a sensible compromise: Snowmobiles would be allowed--but mostly new machines which cut hydrocarbon emissions by 90 percent and noise by 50 percent, and only on roads and primarily on guided tours. Only 950 would be permitted per day. (In contrast, a busy summer day draws about 3,000 cars.) As an avid backpacker who loves the outdoors, I think the environmental movement should be trying to get more people out into the wild. Granted, snowmobiles are an...