The administration is no longer committed to protecting the park because of a deal made with the lawyers representing several major snowmobile manufacturers--Yamaha, Polaris, Ski-Doo, and Arctic Cat. This deal goes against public opinion, a letter from several senators, and the concerns of former Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Mike Finley.

Last year, the National Park Service decided that using snowmobiles hurts the environment in Yellowstone and the wildlife residing there, in addition to annoying people visiting the normally peaceful sanctuary. This conclusion was based on thirteen years of scientific study and three years of public comment throughout the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency warned the Bush administration that the snowmobiles used in Yellowstone are a threat to the health of the environment and visitors. While park rangers and the general public have urged the Park Service to ban snowmobiles in Yellowstone, the administration has decided to permit their use.

"Sadly, the Bush administration's sellout of Yellowstone to the snowmobile industry overrides the professional judgment of park rangers and the men and women charged with ensuring the health of our environment nationwide,"said Sean Smith, Pubic Lands Director for Bluewater Network and former Yellowstone Park ranger. He stated that fifty thousand letters that support getting rid of snowmobiles have been received, while the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association feels that there is not enough public input to warrant a phase-out on snowmobiles in the park. Smith, however, is confident that more comments can be generated, and feels that the ISMA has miscalculated public opinion.

Some of the damage snowmobiles have caused includes anxiety of animals, loss of quiet in the park, and sickness from exhaust fumes. In a nationwide poll of one thousand likely voters, 66% were in favor of the Park Service's decision to do away with snowmobile use in Yellowstone. 70% agreed that the ban on snowmobiles should continue even if snowmobiles are less noisy and produce less pollution.