[Geysers] Yellowstone Winter Use

[Ben Hoppe]

Hello,

So first of all, before I just add in a few things, let me be quite obvious
I'm not sure what the Park is like in winter so please respond kindly as I'm
pretty much clueless. I do think, though, that ecological effects should be
taken into account when making this decision. I understand fuel would be
saved and emissions and all that jazz, but what about the organisms that are
already there?

Would the roads be treated and salted? If yes, this could result in problem
runoff along the roads and quite possibly into the Firehole and Madison
Rivers. Maybe there is even a small possibility that there could be runoff
into a thermal feature? Certainly none of us want that.

How would it affect winter kills for wolves? Would it facilitate them to
traveling greater distances at greater speeds for a kill? If they do utilize
the cleaned off roads, would it somehow result in a careless driver hitting
and/or killing a wolf? Again, I can't see anyone on the listserv wanting
that.

Even if a driver were to be careful and see a wolf on the roadway, would the
driver have to swerve to avoid hitting the wolf? Again, another possible
tragedy. I understand that I'm looking at all the cons here, but these are
all things I would not want to see. Again, I'm not sure what the roadway is
like across the northern part of the park, but wolves are far more prominent
in Yellowstone in winter, and I'd hate to see anything happen to a person,
an organism, or a thermal feature when it doesn't have to.

But on the other hand, "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people." I'd
love to see the Park in winter, and any shortcuts I could take to make it
cheaper would be more than welcome. Not to mention any tourism money that
would flow into other communities and the Park would be great as well.

I think if I knew more of the facts, it would be easier to stand on one side
of the fence or the other, but as I've said, I just don't know what it's
like this time of year.

-Ben Hoppe

-- 
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in
me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20
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