STATE WILL CONSIDER HELPING BUY, STORE SYLVAN PASS AVALANCHE EQUIPMENT
CHEYENNE,
Wyo. - The state of Wyoming will “explore the possibility” of helping
the National Park Service pay for additional avalanche control
equipment for Sylvan Pass on the East Gate of Yellowstone National
Park, Gov. Dave Freudenthal said.
In a letter to Yellowstone
National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis following up on the latest
Sylvan Pass Study Group meeting, the Governor said he planned to raise
the issue with the Joint Appropriations Committee of the Wyoming
Legislature.
“While I obviously cannot guarantee success, I
will commit to exploring the inclusion of both the one time $35,000
appropriation for the howitzer acquisition and the $3,500 ongoing costs
for storage and maintenance by the Wyoming National Guard into my
budget for this coming legislative session,” he said.
On July
21, 2008, the National Park Service amended its record of decision on
winter access to Yellowstone National Park through Sylvan Pass to
indicate that the pass will remain open in winter. The decision came
after several meetings of the Sylvan Pass Study Group which included
representatives from the National Park Service, the Governor’s Office,
Park County and the City of Cody.
The text of the Governor’s letter follows.
August 14, 2008
Suzanne Lewis, Superintendent
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Dear Superintendent Lewis:
I
understand that you have discussed with the Sylvan Pass Study Group the
possibility of the State of Wyoming assisting in the purchase of a
back-up howitzer to be used for avalanche control on Sylvan Pass.
Specifically,
Yellowstone National Park has sought the State’s assistance to cover
the acquisition and refurbishment costs for a surplus howitzer from the
Avalanche Artillery Users of North America (AANUAC) in accordance with
their agreement with the Rock Island Army Garrison. The cost for
refurbishment and transportation of the howitzer is anticipated to be
around $35,000. In addition to the cost for acquisition for the
howitzer, I also understand that the Wyoming National Guard has the
capacity to maintain and store both of the howitzers used on Sylvan
Pass at their armory in Cody. The cost for this service has been
estimated to be around $3,500 per year.
While I obviously
cannot guarantee success, I will commit to exploring the inclusion of
both the one time $35,000 appropriation for the howitzer acquisition
and the $3,500 ongoing costs for storage and maintenance by the Wyoming
National Guard into my budget for this coming legislative session.
I
look forward to working with the legislators who participate in the
Sylvan Pass Study Group and the co-chairs of the Joint Appropriations
Committee to pursue this possibility.
Best regards,
Dave Freudenthal
Governor
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