News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2002

Gulf Islands Hearing Attendees Favor Continued Personal Watercraft Use

Contact:
Elinore Boeke, 202-721-1621
Brian Berry, 202-777-3524

WASHINGTON, DC—Residents of the Florida panhandle and the Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast see no need for a ban on personal watercraft (PWC) use at Gulf Islands National Seashore, if those who attended a public meeting last week are any indication.

Approximately 70 people attended the hearing, convened in Pensacola, FL on March 28 by Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Seashore Superintendent Jerry Eubanks. Seventy-five percent of the speakers held strong views in opposition to the planned ban.

"It was unfortunate that Superintendent Eubanks waited until this late date to hold a hearing," said Jeff Ludwig of the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, who was at the meeting.  "The residents of the Gulf Islands National Seashore area who took the time to attend the hearing overwhelmingly supported continued PWC use, and Superintendent Eubanks failed to give any reasons as to why PWC should not be allowed."

Speakers noted that until this hearing, the public has not been involved in the process that led to the Superintendent’s decision to ban PWC in Gulf Islands. They pointed out that taxpayer-funded public lands are supposed to be managed for everyone, and yet in this case personal watercraft are being discriminated against without consideration of other sources of emissions and sound, such as cigarette boats and naval aviation.

A retired director of utilities at the Pensacola Naval Air Station told those assembled that he did not understand how PWC are a bigger noise and pollution problem than low-flying military aircraft that regularly dump fuel in the area.

Congressman Miller stated that he plans to submit questions in writing to Superintendent Eubanks, and promised those assembled that he is working to make sure that the proper process is followed and that the voice of the people is heard. Miller is a co-sponsor of HR 3853, which includes language to allow personal watercraft use to continue in 21 National Parks—including Gulf Islands—while environmental assessments are completed.

Last week, two personal watercraft enthusiasts, along with the American Watercraft Association and the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, filed suit against the National Park Service (NPS) for ignoring its own procedures in banning personal watercraft from a number of parks without first completing required environmental assessments. Pending the outcome of the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are asking for a preliminary injunction to stay the impending bans, without which personal watercraft use would automatically be banned in Gulf Islands and 12 other National Seashores and National Recreation Areas on April 22, 2002, and in 8 more parks on September 15, 2002, without proper scientific review.

Makers of personal watercraft support reasonable regulations, strict enforcement of navigation and safety laws, and mandatory boating education. Criticism of personal watercraft focuses on stale data, ignoring recent technological advances and initiatives to promote safe and responsible use of these vessels.

Over the past decade, personal watercraft manufacturers have channeled resources to make personal watercraft cleaner, quieter, and safer. Remarkable technological advances have resulted in hydrocarbon and NOx emissions reductions of as much as 75 percent, up to 70 percent quieter engines, and enhanced maneuverability features including off-throttle steering.