News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2001

National Park Service Examines Personal Watercraft Use on Lake Roosevelt

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Daniel / Amy Fox (202) 775-1401
Allison stanfill (202) 721-1621

Personal Watercraft Industry Association Submits Comment on the Future of Personal Watercraft on the Lake, Urges Public to Ask for Continued Responsible Use on Lake

COULEE DAM, WA - The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) encourages all personal watercraft enthusiasts to submit input to the Lake Roosevelt 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 the lake. This is in response to the National Park Service's (NPS) request for comments from the public last week on the use of personal watercraft (PWC) at Lake Roosevelt as part of an environmental assessment determining their future within the park.

The NPS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released in mid-June clearly declares that the park and the public believe PWC should remain on Lake Roosevelt. 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 Roosevelt, 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. 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.

Lake Roosevelt will complete its environmental assessment by September 2002. This is in addition to other environmental studies to be 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.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Daniel or Amy Fox at (202) 775-1401 or Allison Stanfill at (202) 721-1621.