Lieberman
Warns Against Administration "Snow Job" on Yellowstone
Park Pollution
Says action is latest instance of environmental
regulatory rollbacks
November
12, 2002
WASHINGTON
- Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) today decried the Bush
Administration's decision to postpone a federal rule phasing out
the use of snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park, and warned
against an Administration proposal that could allow more than
1,000 snowmobiles in the park every day, further harming the
park's pristine natural environment.
"The
Bush Administration is launching a real 'snow job' on the
American people, by stopping in its tracks a scientifically
sound plan and proposing instead to allow more than 1,000
high-emissions snowmobiles in the park every day,"
Lieberman said. "Snowmobiles
shouldn't overrun the park, rangers shouldn't have to wear gas
masks to breathe clean air, and visitors to Old Faithful
shouldn't have to contend with roaring engines and choking
exhaust."
Lieberman
said the Administration's actions appear to be the latest in a
long line of regulatory rollbacks that have undermined important
environmental protections. A recent majority staff report by the
Governmental Affairs Committee that Lieberman chairs concluded
that the Bush administration, in reviewing previously approved
environmental
regulations
after it came into office in 2001, exhibited "a
pre-determined hostility" toward the regulations,
discounting proper regulatory procedure and the value of public
participation.
"This
is just the newest chapter in a tragic epic novel,"
Lieberman said. "It's
the story of how the Bush Administration is undermining vital
environmental and public health protections every chance they
get."
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