Yellowstone Anticipates Opening On-Time

POWELL, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park officials say they don't expect to need help with spring snow plowing to get the park's entrances opened on time this year.

Last year, state and local officials helped out with plowing in Yellowstone after federal spending cuts reduced the park budget. The cuts threatened to delay plowing and harm tourism by causing the park's entrances to open later than usual.

Crews and equipment from the Wyoming Department of Transportation took part in last year's plowing and the park entrances opened on time.

Yellowstone spokesman Al Nash tells the Powell Tribune that Yellowstone's entrances are targeted to open like usual this year.

Claudia Wade with the Park County Travel Council says park officials have reassured her they expect to have sufficient funding for plowing this year.