Bart Stupak: “Mr. Chairman, I was going to offer an amendment today on snowmobile use in certain national parks. Mr. Chairman, the…”

“Mr. Chairman, I was going to offer an amendment today on snowmobile use in certain national parks. Mr. Chairman, the national parks has more than 375 units. These units run from the historic homes here in Washington, D.C., the beauty of the Great Lakes, all the way up to Alaska. For all these units, their popularity is directly related to their access to the parks. As one generation immerses itself in the beauty and history of our national parks, so will the next. This appreciation is often heightened by providing year-round access to parks. In some units, snowmobiles are necessary for traversing the isolated park lands of our northern States. In other units, like the Pictured Rocks in my district, snowmobiles are used for recreational purposes on restricted routes. Unfortunately, on April 27, 2000, Interior Department Assistant Secretary Don Barry issued an announcement that many regarded as a ban of snowmobile use in the national park. The announcement said that the National Park Service must enforce existing regulations regarding snowmobile use. While I understand the need to balance the preservation of our park units with the public's desire for recreation, this issue is about much more. Foremost, the issues of public input must be addressed. Most of these parks have general management plans that permit snowmobiling in designated areas.”