CONTACT CONGRESS TO STOP SNOWMACHINES:  NPCA (the National
Park and Conservation Association) will be bravely testifying
before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee next Wednesday
(5/24) to support the recent announcement made by the National Park
Service to phase out snowmachine use in our national parks.  The heat
will be on, and it is very important that committee members hear from
you before the hearing, so they know that the public is in favor of the
snowmachine ban.  TAKE ACTION!  Please call or e-mail the following
committee members, and give them this simple message: "I support the
National Park Service's effort to protect park wildlife and visitors
from the noise and pollution of snowmobiles.  I want national parks to
be clean and quiet."  The members to contact are:
Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL)                [log in to unmask]
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN)                   www.senate.gov/~bayh/
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)          [log in to unmask]
Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI)              [log in to unmask]
Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA)             www.senate.gov/~gorton/
Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA)             www.senate.gov/~gorton/
Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY)               [log in to unmask]
Please let us know                          [log in to unmask]

To call these senators, use 202/224-3121 and ask to be transferred.  For

additional arguments you'll find a brief list following
of "Snowmachine Myth Busters" which you can use to strengthen your
position.  Thanks!


SNOWMACHINE MYTH-BUSTERS:
MYTH:  Snowmobile trails do not impact wildlife in the parks.
FACT:  Compaction of snow caused by the passage of snowmobiles can crush

small animals, trap them in their tunnels, or inhibit their movements.
Compacted trails can also alter the movement of animals by providing
convenient travel-ways.  This may alter natural survival rates due to
increased movements outside of protected areas, improved access for
predators, or altered access to food resources.

MYTH:  The NPS snowmobile decision closes a large percentage of the
nation's snowmobile trail system.
FACT:  The NPS decision to prohibit snowmobiles from the National Park
System affects a tiny percentage of the nation's groomed snowmobile
trails. According to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers
Association (ISMA), there are more than 230,000 miles of groomed
snowmobile trails in the United States - more miles than in the
country's interstate highway system6.the NPS closure impacts little more

than one percent of all groomed trails.

MYTH:  Access to the parks will be denied if snowmobiles are abolishes.
FACT: A mass transit system of snowcoaches will allow the same, and
possibly more, visitors to see the parks in winter, while reducing
overall vehicles by 90%, thereby eliminating much air pollution, noise
and wildlife harassment.

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