Park to use helicopter, cannon to keep pass clear of avalanches

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) Officials in Yellowstone National Park will try to keep Sylvan Pass clear of avalanches this winter by using a helicopter and a 105-millimeter howitzer gun.

But park spokesman Al Nash says there's always the possibility the pass will be closed temporarily during the winter.

Sylvan Pass is west of Yellowstone's East Entrance near Cody, Wyoming. It's become a point of bitter controversy between the Park Service and Wyoming residents.

The Park Service proposed closing the pass during winter primarily because of the risk involved with controlling avalanches.

State and local officials oppose any closure, saying that ending snowmobile traffic over the pass would doom winter tourism in the Cody area.

Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-23-07 0851CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list