News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2000

PWIA Reacts to National Park Service Decision Outlawing Personal Watercraft on the
Missouri River

MEDIA CONTACT:
Allison Stanfill
Personal Watercraft Industry Association
202-721-1621
E-mail: stanfill@pwia.org

WASHINGTON—The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) opposes the National Park Service's biased and unfair decision last week upholding its April ban on personal watercraft (PWC) along the Nebraska and South Dakota borders of the Missouri River.

"We are disappointed the NPS listened to extremists located in California and elsewhere around the country utilizing e-mail and form letters to stuff the public 'comment box' instead of local residents," says Monita Fontaine, Executive Director of the PWIA. "Much of the support for the discriminatory ban came from people who've possibly never even seen the Missouri River or ridden a personal watercraft."

"Like Congressman John Thune of South Dakota, we feel the Park Service's decision was biased, ignoring the opinions of Nebraskans and South Dakotans who live near the river," Fontaine continues. The Park Service cited strong public support for its ban when announcing its decision last week, although admitted respondents from Nebraska and South Dakota split almost 50/50 on the issue.

Thune and other members of South Dakota's congressional delegation persuaded the Park Service to reopen the public comment period on the ban in June after nearby residents complained they had not been given an adequate chance to provide input.

"The Park Service's ban denies families living along that stretch of the Missouri River the right to use their personal watercraft," says Fontaine. "Banning personal watercraft when other types of recreational boats are still allowed is discriminatory and unfair. We are happy to hear that Congressman Thune plans to investigate available legislative options."

"PWIA has always said that some waterways, because of environmental concerns should not be used by any powerboats or for certain types of motorized boating activities. However, we completely oppose the total elimination or restriction of personal watercraft on waterways where powerboats or other similar activities are allowed."

Fontaine also reacted to the Park Service's claims that PWC were banned because of their environmental and safety records. "We have repeatedly emphasized to the Park Service the resources our manufacturers have invested resulting in cleaner, more fuel efficient engines that produce up to 75% fewer emissions and are up to 70% quieter. In a decade, we'll have attained the same level of engine emission reductions it took the auto industry 25 years to achieve. Personal watercraft are some of the most environmentally friendly boats on the water.

"And most personal watercraft operators are responsible, courteous and safe. The model personal watercraft legislation, which we've developed and promote, has been used by 26 states as a basis for their PWC laws. We also push hard for more marine patrol officers believing that will make boating safer for all," Fontaine continued. "We cannot remain silent when personal watercraft are banned but other powerboats allowed on this stretch of the Missouri River. It's not fair, especially on public land."

The PWIA is an affiliate of the National Marine Manufacturers Association and represents the four major PWC manufacturers: Bombardier Recreational Products; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; Polaris Industries Inc.; and Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A.

The PWIA web site is located at www.pwia.org.