Forwarded by Jane Clark at [log in to unmask] Please note that Effigy
Mounds is mentioned in this alert.
Stop Bill to Allow Snowmobiles in Nat'l. Parks
Posted on June 5, 2000
Background
Last month, Bluewater Network warned many of you that the
billion-dollar snowmobile industry was gearing up its public
relations machinery in order to attempt to overturn the Department
of Interior's (DOI) decision to phase out snowmobiles from most of
the National Park System. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, it
appears that industry's well-funded efforts are achieving some
success in Congress.
On May 25th, Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY) introduced legislation (HR
4560) which, if passed, will authorize snowmobile use in all
National Parks. This deceptively simple piece of legislation will
undo everything we have fought for during the past two years, and it
will force the American public to accept the lasting damage
snowmobiles cause to the air and water quality, natural quiet,
visitor safety, public enjoyment and wildlife of national treasures
such as Yellowstone (WY) and Rocky Mountain National Parks (CO).
In addition, HR 4560 would authorize snowmobile activity in hundreds
of new parks causing damage to some of the nation's most hallowed
sites such as Gettysburg (PA) and Little Bighorn National
Battlefields (MT). Moreover, snowmobile use at parks such as
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (CO) and Effigy Mounds
National Monument (IA) would threaten irreplaceable archaeological
and paleontological resources. Finally, HR 4560 will overturn
decades-old snowmobile prohibitions at parks such as Glacier (MT)
and Yosemite (CA), best known for their stunning scenic beauty and
wilderness qualities.
Take Action Now!
1. Contact Congress
HR 4560 has been referred to the House of Representative's Resource
subcommittee on National Parks, which is chaired by Representative
James Hansen. Please contact Rep. Hansen at
[log in to unmask] and urge him to vote No on HR
4560! A sample letter is included below. Or if you prefer to send
your comments via the internet please visit the following link:
http://www.earthisland.org/takeaction/actionalert_bw26.html
2. Contact the White House
In addition, please call the White House at (202) 456-1414. Urge
the President to veto HR 4560 and other similar legislation, which
attempts to authorize snowmobile activity in the National Park
System.
***************Sample Letter ************************
The Honorable James Hansen
US. House of Representatives
Washington DC, 20515
Dear Representative Hansen:
I urge you to vote No on HR 4560 a bill recently referred to the House
Resources committee, which would prevent the National Park Service
(NPS) from prohibiting motorized thrill-craft such as snowmobiles.
Countless
scientific studies and government reports are revealing the lasting damage
snowmobiles are causing to air and water quality, visitor enjoyment, public
safety, natural quiet and wildlife.
If passed, HR 4560 would force the American public to accept snowmobile
damage to national treasures such as Yellowstone National Park (WY) and
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI). In addition, HR 4560 would
authorize snowmobile activity in hundreds of new parks including some of
the nation's most hallowed places such as Gettysburg (PA) and Little
Bighorn National Battlefields (MT). Moreover, under this legislation new
snowmobile use at parks such as Florissant Fossil Beds (CO) and Effigy
Mounds National Monuments (IA) could threaten irreplaceable archaeological
and paleontological resources. Finally, HR 4560 would overturn decades-old
snowmobile prohibitions at parks such as Glacier (MT) and Yosemite (CA),
both world renowned for their stunning scenic beauty and wilderness
qualities.
The professional land managers of the NPS are best suited to determine what
activities are appropriate for the park system. Please don't hamper the
NPS' efforts to protect the national heritage. Please vote no on HR 4560!
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
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