Yellowstone National Park limits snowmobiles

In an effort to preserve the serenity of the Yellowstone National Park, officials are making big changes to park policy.

The National Park Service signed off on a decision Thursday to lower the number of over-snow vehicles. This new policy will limit the daily access of transportation group events from 318 per day to 110. Only 50 of these groups can include snowmobiles.

Yellowstone superintendent, Dan Wenk is excited about the new policy and explains that it is for the overall well-being of the park.

“What the records of decision did today was put into place an alternative that makes the park quieter, cleaner, and allows more visitation than has previously been offered.” He said.

The final ruling is to take place this fall, after park officials determine regulations, before the decision can be implemented in 2014. This winter season will serve as a transition period so that the current policy will remain active until the final rule is made this fall.