Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., expressed disbelief on Wednesday after meeting with Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis about the Park Service’s plan to ignore the public input and close the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

Park officials revealed a preview of the final Environmental Impact Statement, which has a preference to close the East Entrance of Yellowstone.

"I want to thank Superintendent Lewis for at least having the courage of the personal preview briefing and encourage those affected and those interested in the decision to read the whole report when it comes out Monday. For 10 years we have been fighting against access restrictions. The original lawsuit was about disturbing bears, until we and biologists pointed out that bears hibernate in winter. Then it changed to bison, who are doing so well in the park they are eating the other animals out of existence. The excuses from the Park Service are unproductive. We want solutions, not justification to close the Park. Park Service employees, even though they hope to have zero customers during the winter, want to continue working and getting paid while area residents, who rely on the Park for business, will be stuck with fewer customers," said Enzi.

"If almost everyone is eventually kept out of the Park, does it really exist for the enjoyment of the people like the writing on the gateway to the Park? I’m sure many people who commented on this plan were from California or the East and have never even been to Yellowstone. They have no idea of its size or natural wonders because they are used to the very small Eastern parks. Yellowstone is about the size of Connecticut. Wyoming is so big that the little corner of the state on maps looks small."

"I joined forces with Cody residents to fight for continued access to Sylvan Pass. It quickly became apparent that the National Park Service made up its mind even before hearing from the public. Gateway communities should have a strong voice in Park Service decisions – especially those that impact our local communities. While there have been deaths in Yellowstone National Park, there have NOT been deaths at Sylvan Pass. Unfortunately, the risk assessment didn’t take into account the safety record of the past three decades. The Park Service also gave conflicting reasoning for closing the Pass. They have flip-flopped their arguments between cost concerns and safety risks. I don’t buy it, and I don’t think the people of Cody do either. It’s unbelievable to me that the Park Service can ignore the delegation, the state, the public, and the gateway community when reaching their decision." Barrasso said.

The National Park Service is expected to release the final Environmental Impact Statement for Winter Use Planning for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks Monday, Sept. 24.

Also at the meetings with Enzi, Barrasso and Lewis were Winter Use Planning Director John Sacklin and Grand Teton National Park Planning Coordinator Gary Pollack.