News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2001

Fair Access: New Hampshire's Lakes

By Monita Fontaine, Executive Director
Personal Watercraft Industry Association

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristin Young 202-775-1401

New Hampshire - Personal watercraft enthusiasts beware: recently introduced legislation within the state Senate threatens to eliminate your right to ride any personal watercraft (PWC) on waters within the state. Without justification or objective scientific criteria, Senate Bill 146 will, if passed, increase restrictions on and possibly ban all PWC, including those larger models seating 3-4 passengers.

Personal watercraft owners in New Hampshire bought their boats with the understanding it would be lawful to navigate on any waterway traditionally utilized for recreational boating. Residents already pay a higher fee for the registration of these larger personal watercraft. However, with the introduction of this legislation, boaters could lose access to waters which would then only be available to larger powerboats and waterfront property owners. All law-abiding, responsible boaters should enjoy access to New Hampshire's beautiful lakes and rivers, not just a select few.

Safe and responsible use of our natural resources is a priority for the personal watercraft industry, and the industry has gone to great lengths to make personal watercraft clean, quiet and safe. In fact, todayÕs personal watercraft are up to 75% cleaner and as much as 70% quieter than 1998 models. Personal watercraft owners are typically in their 40's, college educated, and the primary users of their boat. The 3 and 4 seater models of personal watercraft offer the affordability and easy handling of a typical personal watercraft while seating an entire family for a day spent fishing, touring or waterskiing.

Inappropriate use of personal watercraft and all boats should be regulated, not the boats themselves. The industry endorses minimum age requirements, mandatory boating education and shoreline sound reduction. These key safety components are integrated within our model legislation adopted by legislatures in over twenty-six states. As a result of laws protecting against irresponsible behavior, the Coast Guard reported in 1998 a steady decline in personal watercraft accidents across the country. Strict laws are already in place in New Hampshire requiring safe use of personal watercraft.

There is always a need for reasonable regulation and strict enforcement of boating on the state waterways. However, banning is not a management tool-it is merely a form of discrimination against one type of boat over another. This legislation will create a patchwork of confusing restrictions throughout the state and hurt tourism. The New Hampshire State Senate needs to hear from personal watercraft enthusiasts, asking them to learn all the facts before deciding on Senate Bill 146. It is wrong to single out personal watercraft and restrict or ban their use on many of the state's lakes. There is room enough for all boaters on New Hampshire's lakes.