Judge says no to snowmobiles in Yellowstone LARAMIE, WYO. (wpr) - A federal judge has thrown out a plan to allow 540 snowmobiles each day in Yellowstone National Park this winter.

U.S District Judge Emmet Sullivan made the decision Monday in Washington, citing environmental concerns. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition was one of six groups that filed a suit against the plan. The coalition's Amy McNamara is celebrating.

"This is a great day for Yellowstone and all the national parks and we're glad to see that today's ruling will restore Yellowstone's winter quiet and clean air for all visitors to enjoy," McNamara said.

McNamara says it would be best if no snowmobiles were allowed in the park. She says snow coaches can take the place of snowmobiles. Those are enclosed buses that can drive on snow.

Meantime, the off-road enthusiast group called the Blue Ribbon Coalition is saying that the ruling could hurt recreational use of the park.

Another federal judge says he plans to give the park a temporary rule by November first on how to handle snowmobiles this winter.
© Copyright 2009, wpr