Snowmobiles in the Environment
Snowmobiles in the environment
Keith Kenworthy
City University
SCI 215
Environmental Science
Instructor: Robin Aspman-O’Callaghan
December 3, 2006
There has been a lot of debate over snowmobiles in the last several years. This is like many other issues where there are two sides, and that each has good points to be made. This paper is going to do a brief review of the issues and allow both perspectives an opportunity to be heard in one place. Snowmobiles cause too much pollution. Snowmobiles are too loud. Snowmobiles cause damage to the environment. Snowmobiles affect wildlife. Snowmobiles should be banned. If you’ve ever read any of these statements or you agree with these statements you’re not alone. The folks that make these statements usually do so with some kind of data that backs it up. The data could allow a reasonable person to come to the conclusion that the statements are correct. Snowmobiles cause too much pollution; it could be air, water, or noise pollution. Air pollution from snowmobiles is the result of using a two-stroke motor. Two-stroke motors (Two-stroke cycle, n.d.) have been in use since they were invented in 1860. They have provided an inexpensive, lightweight, powerful energy source for many applications. They have powered chainsaws, motorcycles, outboard boat motors, personal watercraft, weed eaters, lawnmowers, and of course, snowmobiles. In 2001, the EPA published a proposed emissions standards (Emissions standards for new nonroad engines, September 2001) change for “nonroad” vehicles. It was targeted at reducing the harmful emissions created from “nonroad” vehicles such as snowmobile, ATV’s, and dirt bikes. In 2002, the EPA imposed new regulations (Emissions standards for new nonroad engines, September 2002) that incorporated the proposed changes to emissions regulations. The first phase of the implementation was targeted at the snowmobiles
Keith Kenworthy
City University
SCI 215
Environmental Science
Instructor: Robin Aspman-O’Callaghan
December 3, 2006
There has been a lot of debate over snowmobiles in the last several years. This is like many other issues where there are two sides, and that each has good points to be made. This paper is going to do a brief review of the issues and allow both perspectives an opportunity to be heard in one place. Snowmobiles cause too much pollution. Snowmobiles are too loud. Snowmobiles cause damage to the environment. Snowmobiles affect wildlife. Snowmobiles should be banned. If you’ve ever read any of these statements or you agree with these statements you’re not alone. The folks that make these statements usually do so with some kind of data that backs it up. The data could allow a reasonable person to come to the conclusion that the statements are correct. Snowmobiles cause too much pollution; it could be air, water, or noise pollution. Air pollution from snowmobiles is the result of using a two-stroke motor. Two-stroke motors (Two-stroke cycle, n.d.) have been in use since they were invented in 1860. They have provided an inexpensive, lightweight, powerful energy source for many applications. They have powered chainsaws, motorcycles, outboard boat motors, personal watercraft, weed eaters, lawnmowers, and of course, snowmobiles. In 2001, the EPA published a proposed emissions standards (Emissions standards for new nonroad engines, September 2001) change for “nonroad” vehicles. It was targeted at reducing the harmful emissions created from “nonroad” vehicles such as snowmobile, ATV’s, and dirt bikes. In 2002, the EPA imposed new regulations (Emissions standards for new nonroad engines, September 2002) that incorporated the proposed changes to emissions regulations. The first phase of the implementation was targeted at the snowmobiles
References: Bluewater Network (n.d.) ISMA’s Snow facts- a snow job!, Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://bluewaternetwork.org/reports/rep_pl_snow_ismaresponse.pdf Environmental Protection Agency (2001) Emissions standards for new nonroad engines, Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://www.epa.gov/OMS/regs/nonroad/proposal/f01026.htm Environmental Protection Agency (2002) Emissions standards for new nonroad engines, Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://www.epa.gov/OMS/regs/nonroad/2002/f02037.pdf Environmental Protection Agency (2002) Frequently asked questions from snowmobile owners, Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://www.epa.gov/OMS/regs/nonroad/2002/f02040.pdf Hurckes, J., Jenema, H., Urbain, T.(1998) Global Warming: Fact or Fiction?, Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://www.cem.msu.edu/~cem181h/projects/98/global/cem181proj.html Inhofe, J (2006) Hot and cold media spin cycle: A challenge to journalists who cover global warming, Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://epw.senate.gov/repwhitepapers/HOT%20AND%20COLD%20MEDIA%20SPIN%20CYCLE.pdf ISMA (n.d.) Snowmobile facts: sound, retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://www.snowmobile.org/facts_sound.asp National Parks Service (2000) Air Quality concerns with snowmobile usage in national parks, Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/Pubs/pdf/yell/Snowmobile_Report.pdf Wikipedia (n.d.) Two–stroke cycle, Retrieved December 3, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stroke_cycle#Power_Valve_Systems