TheeBadOne
Moderator
New rules could allow machines use in Yellowstone, Grand Tetons
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - A federal judge on Friday struck down a ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, calling it a "prejudged, political" move.
The decision could clear the way for new rules that allow the machines.
U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer ruled that the Clinton-era ban was invalid because it did not involve adequate public participation and failed to follow federal law.
The rule was "the product of a prejudged, political decision to ban snowmobiles from all the national parks," Brimmer wrote in an opinion.
The National Park Service is expected to issue a new rule governing snowmobile use next month in time for the coming winter season.
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal praised the judge’s decision, saying it recognized “the fundamentally unfair nature of the ban and ensured that citizens will get to see their national park.”
The ban, adopted during the Clinton administration and set to take effect last winter, was set aside in early 2003 by the park service to settle a lawsuit filed by snowmobile makers. Under the agreement, new rules were drafted to allow a limited number of snowmobiles inside the parks.
Brimmer’s Washington colleague, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, later overturned the regulations and ordered the ban to begin this year. Brimmer set aside Sullivan’s decision in February.
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Hot damn! Good to see a Judge overturn another if he sees a bad decision (instead of the "good old boys blind eye).
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - A federal judge on Friday struck down a ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, calling it a "prejudged, political" move.
The decision could clear the way for new rules that allow the machines.
U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer ruled that the Clinton-era ban was invalid because it did not involve adequate public participation and failed to follow federal law.
The rule was "the product of a prejudged, political decision to ban snowmobiles from all the national parks," Brimmer wrote in an opinion.
The National Park Service is expected to issue a new rule governing snowmobile use next month in time for the coming winter season.
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal praised the judge’s decision, saying it recognized “the fundamentally unfair nature of the ban and ensured that citizens will get to see their national park.”
The ban, adopted during the Clinton administration and set to take effect last winter, was set aside in early 2003 by the park service to settle a lawsuit filed by snowmobile makers. Under the agreement, new rules were drafted to allow a limited number of snowmobiles inside the parks.
Brimmer’s Washington colleague, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, later overturned the regulations and ordered the ban to begin this year. Brimmer set aside Sullivan’s decision in February.
article
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hot damn! Good to see a Judge overturn another if he sees a bad decision (instead of the "good old boys blind eye).