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Week Ending June 10, 2005

House Resolution 309 Expressing the importance of immediately reopening the famous Beartooth All-American Highway from Red Lodge, Montana, to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

BRIEF

With summer tourism on the rise the May mudslides that closed off the Beartooth Highway access to Yellowstone national Park now raises the problem of close to 200,000 highway users who must detour their way around the slides.

Three cities in Montana, Red Lodge, Cooke City and Silver Gate are losing commerce because of the detours.

The Resolution asks the President to “take, without hesitation, all necessary actions to assist the Governor of Montana in reopening, as quickly as possible the scenic Beartooth Highway”.

Sponsor: Representative Richard W. Pombo (R-CA-11^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote (June 9, 2005)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

Expressing the importance of immediately reopening the famous Beartooth All-American Highway from Red Lodge, Montana, to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

Whereas on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone was established as the world's first national park;

Whereas Yellowstone National Park encompasses over 2 million acres and is one of America's Crown Jewels of the National Park System;

Whereas over 2.8 million people visit Yellowstone National Park annually to admire its world famous geysers, hot springs, and remarkable wildlife, and to hike its more than 950 miles of backcountry trails;

Whereas on May 16-17, 2005, a major mudslide bisected the scenic Beartooth Highway in 6 sections requiring visitors from Montana to undertake a detour to the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park;

Whereas the scenic Beartooth Highway provides on average 190,000 visitors annually easy access to the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park;

Whereas the scenic Beartooth Highway has been recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the United States; and

Whereas the scenic Beartooth Highway is the economic artery for the citizens of the gateway communities of Red Lodge, Cooke City, and Silver Gate, Montana: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the critical importance of ensuring unfettered access to visitors of Yellowstone National Park and preserving the economy of Red Lodge, Montana; and

(2) urges the President to take, without hesitation, all necessary actions to assist the Governor of Montana in reopening, as quickly as possible, the scenic Beartooth Highway that provides access to Yellowstone National Park.

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