This decision came in spite of a 2007 environmental study that found that in certain locations within the park where there were violations of noise and pollution standards that it was most often the snowcoaches that were in violation, and that snowmobiles, on a per-person basis, were more fuel efficient.

Snowcoaches are the vehicle of choice by those groups trying to get snowmobiles out of the park, which includes the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the Wilderness Society.

In his decision, Sullivan did not replace the vacated rule, which left in question whether snowmobiles would be allowed and ignored the long history of the NPS to reach a balance between users and environmentalists. It also banned snowcoaches, which are being pushed by environmental groups.

Brimmer said Sullivan was wrong. He said the NPS, "Thoroughly reviewed and investigated the effects of the final rule on the environment" within the park.

He said he couldn't revoke Sullivan's decision, but he did order the agency to fall back to a 2004 decision that allowed for 720 snowmobiles per day, which is a much higher number than the various snowmobile groups had been willing to accept.

And that, Welch said, "is where we are today."

Bill Wade, executive council for the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, which has been involved in the snowmobile issue, but not in the litigation, said, "Our position, to put it as bluntly as we can, is we would like to see all snowmobiles phased out over the next few years" in favor of snowcoaches.

He said the his group's position is the NPS did not need to return to the 720 figure, "and what we're hoping is the department will consider dropping to 318 next winter."

Seely said banning snowmobiles is "crazy."

"The way the park is being run, with the controls in place, and the lower number of people allowed in the park, it's crazy to say snowmobiles are not appropriate. Visitors and the community are being hurt now because of the uncertainty caused by Sullivan's ruling. Because he banned snowcoaches in his ruling, I'm really not sure he knew what he was doing," he said.

Welch said snowmobile groups had more or less settled on a number of 540, "and we thought we had an agreement. The rules the environmental groups want are way over the top and could result in Boy Scouts being banned from the park if they were to, say, disturb a pile of rocks.

"Brimmer's decision calls for the number to be fixed for three years while the (National Park Service) completes a new process and comes up with a new rule. Going back to the 2004 figures and calling for a new study will at least give businesses and visitors some certainty in what has become a very confusing situation."

Consensus is that if a compromise isn't brokered between the two sides, this matter will remain in the courts for years, which could prove very costly for both sides.

The park will remain open this year until March 15, which is a week longer than in past seasons.

This will mean the park will be open for the annual West Yellowstone World Snowmobile Expo, scheduled March 13-15. Events will include an ATV show, a snowcross, drag race and aerial competition.

For information visit www.snowmobileexpo.com.