A Snow Job

In its first major move on air pollution since President Bush took office, the U.S. EPA yesterday proposed the first emissions rules for snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, forklifts, and diesel-powered boats. The proposal, which is particularly aimed at reducing pollution in national parks, would cut total carbon-monoxide emissions from the vehicles by 56 percent and hydrocarbon and nitrogen-oxide emissions by almost 80 percent. Some enviros said the proposal wasn't strong enough because snowmobile pollution would have to be reduced by only 50 percent by 2010. They said a snowmobile used for one hour emits about as much hydrocarbon pollution as a car driven for a year.