Lummis Paddling Bill Passes Committee

Press Release

Today U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large) joined a bipartisan majority of her colleagues on the House Natural Resources Committee to pass H.R. 947- the Yellowstone and Grand Teton Paddling Act out of committee.

The bill will require the National Park Service to promulgate a rule to allow paddling in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks three years after funds become available. This gives ample time for park officials to conduct the necessary National Environmental Policy Act studies and analyses. The new rule would then replace regulations, in place since 1950, which prohibited paddling in both parks to curb overfishing. These outdated regulations have tied the hands of the Park Service from even considering proposals from the paddling community.

The House Natural Resources Committee also adopted a Rep. Lummis amendment by voice vote. The amendment alleviates the implementation burden on the National Park Service (NPS) by designating a small portion of the waterways in the parks for the rulemaking. The NPS will retain full management over paddling in the parks and will retain discretion on whether to go through a rulemaking to open additional waterways as it sees fit. Backcountry lake paddling management has proven that the NPS is up to the task of managing paddling on waterways while protecting natural resources.

"My bill will remove a 60-year-old federal ban on paddling that is no longer applicable today. In fact, the outdated regulations have prevented responsible public enjoyment of these waterways," said Rep. Lummis. "I took great care to ensure the Park Service has the time, resources, and public input necessary to write a responsible management plan. My amendment also alleviates the burden on the Park Service by reducing the required scope of the rulemaking to 10 percent of the total river miles in the parks. If passed, the end result will align Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park with other national parks across the country that offer this low-impact way for the public, and especially America's youth, to have truly unforgettable experiences. With the National Park Service's centennial next year, this is a perfect opportunity to encourage a new generation of Americans to enjoy our nation's natural wonders."

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