BILLINGS, Montana (AP) -- The National Park Service, aiming to curb noise and pollution, has finalized its plan to manage snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

The plan made public Tuesday differed only slightly from the Park Service's tentative proposal released last month.

Beginning next winter, snowmobilers will have to get reservations to enter the parks, and 80 percent of their machines will have to be accompanied by commercial guides.

The plan also sets daily limits for snowmobiles, along with noise and emissions standards.

The Park Service intends to monitor noise and pollution in the parks and change the plan for the 2005-06 winter season, if necessary.

Environmental groups said the monitoring will cost $1.3 million more per year than the total ban on snowmobiles first proposed during the Clinton administration.

The Park Service revisited the issue to settle a lawsuit brought by snowmobile makers. The plan has been received tepidly by snowmobile groups which nonetheless are glad to retain some access to the parks.

what a load of something, i have been thru the park many times, i do not need a stinked guide, he would probably get me lost, and a reservation, another crock of ship.

fricken tree-huggin', pole-smokin', granola eatin' commie b@stards are starting to #### me off! :cussing:

The frigging environazied have filed two lawsuits over this. They are now going as far as to have a complete halt in grooming. Nobody goes in if that happens, and that's what they want.

As for making reservations. That's just gonna be how it goes. I'd rather make a reservation, then be locked out completely. As for the guides, you will be able to go in without one. You will have to take a course before you can go in unguided.