News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2001

National Park Service Examines Personal Watercraft Use at Glen Canyon NRA

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Fox 202-775-1401
or
Allison Stanfill 202-721-162

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

SALT LAKE CITY, UT -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 Salt Lake City on August 21, 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.