News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2002

NATIONAL PARKS ASSESSING PERSONAL WATERCRAFT USE

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

Washington, DC—This week brings Earth Day, National Park Week, and irrational bans on personal watercraft in National Parks.

A judge on Friday refused to issue a preliminary injunction to delay implementation of the bans. "Beginning today, American families who enjoy personal watercraft will discover they are no longer welcome in thirteen more National Seashores and Recreation Areas," said Monita Fontaine, Executive Director of the Personal Watercraft Industry Association.

The National Park Service has indicated that it needs additional time to ensure fair and accurate environmental studies. Without the preliminary injunction, personal watercraft (PWC) use is automatically banned in 13 National Parks as of today, without proper scientific review. Eight National Parks will allow personal watercraft use throughout the summer, but unless they complete their rulemaking in time, these parks will also be forced to ban personal watercraft on September 15, 2002.

These bans do not mean that PWC will not be allowed in the future, only that the studies must be undertaken before regulations allowing PWC use are promulgated. NPS said in an April 16 press release that 16 of these parks "will proceed with special regulations as required by the national PWC rule…which will include conducting environmental assessments or environmental impact statements…preparing an economic analysis, and seeking public comment throughout the entire process."

"I am pleased that our lawsuit prompted the National Park Service to do an internal review, which resulted in last week’s announcement that several parks will now reassess their plans for permanent bans of personal watercraft," said Fontaine. "There is a process that must be followed, a process that was designed to lead to objective decisions based on site-specific scientific evidence and not a superintendent’s personal opinion."

"Our goal has always been to see the Parks rely on science and an objective process. We are confident that site-specific, objective, scientific studies will show that modern personal watercraft are among the most environmentally-friendly motorboats on the water today," she continued. "These aren’t the same boats sold just a few years ago. We’re proud of the technological innovations that make today’s PWC 75 percent cleaner and 70 percent quieter than 1998 models."

Legislation currently pending in Congress, H.R. 3853, would grant NPS a grace period extension of two years to complete the environmental assessments, during which time personal watercraft use would continue to be allowed. That bill is awaiting action by the full House, after which time it would move to the Senate.

"America’s public parks were created for the enjoyment of all Americans," explained Fontaine. "When our government bans a recreational activity that 20 million people take pleasure in, it must have a good reason, based on facts and science, not on the prejudice of those whose preferred version of recreation differs."

Personal watercraft are affordable family boats that seat up to four people and have no exposed propellers. 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.

A summer 2001 independent survey by the Leisure Trends Group showed that a majority of Americans believe personal watercraft use should be permitted in the National Parks. The same survey found that consumers 55 years and older and Americans who have never tried the sport have more negative attitudes towards personal watercraft.