Posted 7-21-08

Final Decision is Set for Sylvan Pass

Delegation applauds hard work of area residents, study group

Washington, D.C. (Office of Senator Enzi) – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., and Representative Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., praised the final record of decision on the management of Sylvan Pass released by the National Park Service this afternoon.

“The entrance will remain open as a direct result of area residents uniting together to fight for their livelihood and open access to parks that were intended to be enjoyed. Cody area residents won and so did anyone else who wants to know the true beauty of the nation’s first national park during the winter,” said Enzi.

“I applaud the hard work put in by the people of Cody to keep the pass open. The extraordinary beauty of Yellowstone is meant for the enjoyment of everyone. Continued access to the Park via snowmobiles and snowcoaches is absolutely the right answer,” Barrasso said.

“When Sylvan Pass was first threatened with closure, Park County residents responded, and I am pleased to see that the National Park Service eventually listened to those in the community who know the issue best,” Cubin said.

The Sylvan Pass Study Group met for a series of meetings over the course of six months to figure out plausible ways to keep the East Entrance of Yellowstone accessible during the winter months. The final record of decision is the product of those meetings and requires Sylvan Pass to be open for winter use from Dec. 22 through March 1.

“The study group put in many long hours hammering out the details and their perseverance and attention to detail did not go unnoticed. I applaud the Park Service’s willingness to listen to the needs of Cody area residents,” said Enzi.

“The fight over Sylvan Pass represented much more than just another management decision in Yellowstone National Park. It was about the Town of Cody maintaining their economy.  It was about the State of Wyoming maintaining its heritage.  This is a great victory for the citizens of Wyoming, snowmobilers across our nation, and anyone who stands for open access to our public lands,” said Cubin.

The final decision on the winter use of Sylvan Pass can be accessed at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsList.cfm?parkId=111&projectId=12047.