Comment on FR Doc # E7-09351

July 6, 2007 Yellowstone National Park Winter Use Proposed Rule P. O. Box 168 Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 RE: RIN 1024-AD55 Dear Rule Makers: I am a recreational Snowmobiler and write to you today in regard to the Winter Use Proposed Rule for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway. First and foremost, I support the continued use of snowmobiles for winter transportation in these parks. 1. The frozen water surface of Jackson Lake should be available and accessible to non-fishing Snowmobilers via a marked trail and posted speed limit. Annually, over 30,000 lakes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan are enjoyed and co- used by thousands of snowmobilers and ice-fisherman with zero adverse impact to the environment. The proposal to only allow ice-fishermen on snowmobiles sole access Jackson Lake (only for ice fishing and with a valid Wyoming fishing license and proper fishing gear) disenfranchises all non-fishing people who would love to experience the beauty of this body of water in the wintertime via a snowmobile. 2. The rule should be amended to allow at least 20% of Yellowstone?s daily snowmobiles entries to be led by a non-commercial guide who has taken a short training course. 3. The daily snowcoach limit of 78 per day proposed is too high and should be reduced to fewer than 50 per day. This should better utilize empty seats in existing snowcoaches, currently averaging just 29 per day entering the park with an average of only 7.5 riders per coach. 4. I support the section of the rule requiring snowcoaches to meet emissions and sound requirements. However, ?beginning in the 2011-2012 season? is too long of a phase-in period. Two years advance notice should be more than sufficient. 5. The maximum commercial snowmobile group size should remain at 11 (10 plus 1 guide) versus being decreased to 8 as proposed by this rule. 6. Sylvan Pass provides important access to Yellowstone through the East Entrance. Therefore I would request Sylvan Pass be kept open to Snowmobile and snowcoach traffic. 7. The Yellowstone side-roads provide opportunities for visitors to view the beauty of the park. I support re-opening these road segments to snowmobiles in the afternoons. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Don Hamilton 804 Camelot Court Waunakee, Wisconsin 53597 (608) 849-8411