Analysis: Claims of better air quality in Yellowstone NP under new winter-use proposal not backed up by data, at least in the short term
Claims by Yellowstone National Park officials that a preferred winter-use plan will result in a cleaner, quieter park open to more visitors seem to be contradicted by data contained in documents upon which the plan is built.
While Superintendent Dan Wenk said Thursday that the preferred alternative "makes the park quieter and cleaner, and allows some increases in visitation," data show that that desired alternative will result in substantially higher carbon monoxide levels. Benzene emissions also will increase in the near-term, as will levels of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, according to numbers contained in the Draft Winter Use Plan Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.