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News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2001
National Park Service Examines Personal Watercraft Use at Glen Canyon NRA
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Fox 202-775-1401
or
Allison Stanfill 202-721-1621
Personal Watercraft Industry Association Submits Comment
on the Future of Personal Watercraft on Lake Powell, Urges
Public to Ask for Continued Responsible Use on Lake
PHOENIX, AZ -The Personal Watercraft Industry Association
(PWIA) encourages all personal watercraft enthusiasts to submit
input to the Glen Canyon park superintendent, in addition
to materials submitted by the association and manufacturers,
emphasizing their desire to maintain respectful and responsible
use of personal watercraft on Lake Powell. This is in response
to the National Park Service's (NPS) request for comments
from the public this week on the use of personal watercraft
(PWC) at the National Recreation Area as part of an environmental
assessment determining their future within the park. PWIA
also emphasizes the need for the public to attend scoping
meetings to be held in Phoenix on August 23, 2001. Comments
heard by the NPS determine if clean, quiet and safe personal
watercraft will be allowed to remain in public waters designated
for recreation.
Accompanying paperwork to the NPS Notice of Intent to prepare
an environmental impact statement (EIS) clearly declares that
the park and the public believe PWC should remain within Glen
Canyon. However, legal maneuvers by self-righteous, anti-recreation
organizations has resulted in the classification of personal
watercraft within the parks as guilty of baseless claims,
and threatened with banning, until proven innocent. As the
industry demonstrates technological, environmental, and safety
achievements, it is essential that all users assert that these
popular and safe boats belong on Lake Powell, or else lose
the right to access it forever.
"We are confident that the results of the National Park
Service's study will recognize the bold measures that our
industry has taken to produce safe, quiet and environmentally-friendly
watercraft," said Monita Fontaine, executive director
of PWIA. New, fuel-efficient models of personal watercraft
utilize direct injection and catalytic converters resulting
in up to 75% fewer emissions than just three years before.
Both Yamaha and Bombardier unveiled 2002 model four-stroke
PWC, universally recognized as the most environmentally friendly
and fuel efficient marine engine, creating the cleanest fleet
on the water. Simultaneously, sound resonators, baffling chambers
and better insulation make 2001 model PWC over 70% quieter
than those of 1998's model year. The personal watercraft industry
is also greatly involved in waterway safety, instituting mandatory
education in the states, providing free riding handbooks and
donating boats to law enforcement officials for safer waters.
Glen Canyon expects to have its environmental assessment
ready for public comment by early 2002. This is in addition
to other environmental studies conducted around the country
at each of the 21 parks affected by the December 2000 court
settlement. That settlement bans any personal watercraft from
the 21 remaining parks listed appropriate for PWC use in the
March 2000 NPS regulation unless an environmental assessment
under the National Environmental Policy Act is conducted.
The meeting will be held:
August 23, 2001 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Phoenix, Arizona
AmeriSuites
1520 W. Baseline Road
Arizona Mills Room
Tempe, Arizona
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