CODY, WYOMING - Community leaders in Cody are applauding Yellowstone's decision to keep the East Gate open to snowmobiles and snowcoaches in the winter. Negotiations between Wyoming and Park representatives wrapped up in Billings Tuesday.

In the winter of 2007, the outcry was louder than a two stroke sled engine, when Yellowstone officials announced their intention to stop using a howitzer and helicopter drops to clear Sylvan pass of avalanche danger in the winter.

More than 600 people came to the Cody Auditorium to tell Park Superintendant Suzanne Lewis they wanted the park to keep the pass open, as it had for more than 30 years. The group that organized the turnout, called "Shut Out of Yellowstone", was shut of the negotiations between the park and local public officials. They are happy with the outcome, however.

Shut Out Committee Member Terry Hinkle said, "We have an historic victory of keeping the East Gate open at Sylvan Pass. This proves that public involvement, citizens involved can win." Wyoming House Representative for District 25, Colin Simpson said, "Like any mediation or negotiation session there's a lot of information sharing, there's posturing, and then there's some real negotiation."

Simpson says the final negotiations produced good faith commitments on both sides. Wyoming, he says, will voluntarily try to pay for safety measures. Simpson remarked, "We'll look at grant funding first, we'll talk to the military department, the governor's office, WYDOT to see what can be done."

The park, in return, pledges to keep the pass open for a shorter season. It will be three weeks shorter. Snowcoach operator Jon Sowerwine, reached by phone from Hawaii, says he'll decide this month whether he can continue to operate in the shorter season. Snowmobile operator Gary Fales says "I'm very happy." As to the shorter season, Fales says "we'll adjust to it."

Yellowstone Park officials weren't available for comment, but in a press release stated, "The National Park Service agrees to make funding for safety and access improvements on Sylvan Pass a priority." The new winter use season for Yellowstone's East Gate will be from December 22 until March 1.