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