News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2001
Florida Keys Advisory Group To Collect Public Comment On Watercraft Use
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristin Young: 202-775-1401
Florida Keys—The week of March 26, 2001, the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Working Group will
hold a series of public meetings to discuss the use of motorized
boating including personal watercraft. Although a 2000 Florida
law states, "Any ordinance or local law which has been
adopted pursuant to this section or any other state law may
not discriminate against personal watercraft," opponents
have been trying to use a campaign of misinformation to ban
personal watercraft. The public meetings are being held to
gather comments and vote on eight alternatives being presented.
Consider the facts on personal watercraft:
A 1997 study in the Florida Keys found personal watercraft
do not harm seagrass beds or create significant water turbulence.
Personal watercraft manufacturers have gone to great lengths
to protect the environment, investing in technological advances
since 1998 that have resulted in cleaner, quieter and more
efficient crafts. TodayÕs PWCs have 75% fewer emissions
and are up to 70% quieterthan 1998 models.
Personal watercraft and outboard motors use the same two-stroke
engine technology. The new technology being used on PWC today,
called direct injection, reduces emissions by 75% over conventional
outboard motors.
The personal watercraft industry strongly advocates minimum
age requirements, mandatory boating education and shoreline
sound reduction legislation. In fact, the personal watercraft
industry supported the 1996 boating education law in Florida
which requires all renters born after 1980 pass an examine
before riding. Since its passage, personal watercraft use
has increased 39% while accidents decreased by 22%.
Dedicated to the well-being of our marine life and water
safety, the personal watercraft industry has loaned more than
11,000 personal watercraft to federal, state and local agencies
nationwide. In Florida, more than 280 personal watercraft
were donated to state and local law enforcement officials.
These crafts have been used for saving lives, patrolling,
removing debris and saving endangered wildlife. Personal watercraft
donated by the industry have been used to patrol manatee habits
to ensure boaters respect speed limits.
The meetings are schedule to run in two 3-hour sessions,
one starting at 3:00 pm and the second at 6:00 pm. Each session
begins with a presentation of the PWC Working Group's progress,
and then an open house where written comments will be taken.
The meetings will be held:
March 27 3:00 - 9:00 pm
Marathon
Marathon Library Mtg. Rm.
MM 48.5 O/S Hwy.
March 28 3:00 - 9:00 pm
Key West
Old City Hall Meeting Room
510 Green Street, Upstairs
For more information contact Kristin Young at (202) 775-1401
or e-mail at Kristin.young@dittus.com
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