News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 30, 2001

North Carolina Residents Favor Continued Personal Watercraft Use at Cape Lookout National Seashore

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Fox, 202-715-1547
or
Elinore Boeke, 202-721-1621

WASHINGTON, DC - North Carolinians are overwhelmingly opposed to a ban on personal watercraft use at Cape Lookout National Seashore, if those who attended National Park Service hearings last week are any indication.

A total of 32 people spoke at the four hearings, convened October 25 and 26 by Park Superintendent Karren Brown. Of those 32, only four people supported the ban. The other 28 peopleÑnearly 90 percent of the speakers, and all but one of whom were North Carolina residentsÑheld strong views in opposition to the ban.

These numbers are in stark contrast to Superintendent Brown's statement that she has received letters running five-to-one in favor of a ban on personal watercraft use. It is not yet clear where the majority of these letters come from. However, said Bill Decaire, State Government Relations Manager for the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, who attended the meetings, "the clear indication from these hearings is that support for a ban is not strong among North Carolinians."

"Several residents voiced their frustration with an environmental organization from San Francisco dictating North Carolina rules," reported Decaire, referring to the San Francisco-based Bluewater Network's campaign to ban PWC use from all National Parks. "Others were not PWC owners, but worried that their favorite form of marine recreation would be the next target for a ban at the Park. They're right to be worried. Bluewater states on their website that they want to ban two-stroke engines from all marine environments."

U.S. Coast Guard Commander Dean Lee told those attending the hearing that PWCs in use at Cape Lookout National Seashore have safety records comparable to other forms of motorized boating in the area. In fact, in the past year there have been no PWC-related accidents at the Park.

Superintendent Brown has indicated that she favors a ban on PWC use at Cape Lookout National Seashore, a National Park consisting of three barrier islands that make up the southernmost portion of the North Carolina Outer Banks. The Park is only accessible by boat. According to National Park Service estimates, half a million people visited the Park last year, including 523 observed personal watercraft - less than one-tenth of one percent of the year's visitors.

Over the past decade, personal watercraft manufacturers have invested enormous resources to make personal watercraft cleaner, quieter, and safer. Remarkable technological advances have resulted in 75 percent reduced hydrocarbon emissions, 70 percent quieter engines, and enhanced maneuverability features including off-throttle steering.