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, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]