|
|
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2005
Personal Watercraft Return to New York's,
Fire Island National Seashore
After Three-Year Ban, Environmental Study Welcomes PWC Back
Effective Immediately
Contact:
Elinore Boeke, 202-737-9768
Brian Berry, 202-777-3524
WASHINGTON —The thorough process to evaluate personal watercraft (PWC) use at Fire Island National Seashore in New York has finally concluded after three long years. The ruling to reopen Fire Island National Seashore to PWC use was published today in the Federal Register, and is effective immediately.
In 2002, the National Park Service was required by a court settlement to restrict PWC in 21 park units pending the results of scientific studies regarding the vessels’ impact. Fire Island National Seashore is the ninth unit to complete this study and now welcomes personal watercraft back into the park. Five other national park units are in the final stages of the rulemaking process to determine if PWC will be allowed back into those parks. The environmental assessment study at Fire Island concludes that PWC are an appropriate boating activity for the National Seashore.
"Today another national park has reaffirmed that personal watercraft are among the cleanest and quietest motorboats on the water,” said Maureen Healey, Executive Director of the Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA). “In every single instance – 15 to date – where an environmental assessment has measured the impact of PWC on a body of water where motorized boating is permitted, these studies conclude that PWCs should be allowed.”
All PWC operators in New York State born after January 1, 1975 are required to pass an approved boating safety course and carry a certificate of completion. Legislation recently passed by the State Senate and the State Assembly will require PWC operators to be at least 14 years of age unless accompanied by an adult. This legislation is awaiting Governor Pataki’s signature.
Modern PWC have always been compliant with federal and state emissions requirements, and many models have met the EPA's 2006 standards for several years. As a result of an industry-wide commitment to update engine technology since 1998, manufacturers have been producing PWC that are 75 percent cleaner and 70 percent quieter than previous models. New models can seat up to three passengers and tow a water skier or wake board. PWC have evolved into an environmentally friendly boating choice for families who wish to enjoy the water together, and have found personal watercraft to be affordable, easy to store, transport, and maintain.
Did you know?
- The typical PWC buyer is around age 40 with a family.
- More than 75 percent of all PWC sold in the U.S. in 2004 were three-passenger vessels. *
- Over half of all PWC sold in the U.S. in 2004 had new-technology engines such as four-stroke and direct-injection.
- Twenty million Americans enjoy personal watercraft each year, according to a government survey. +
- U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that 99 percent of PWC are operated accident-free.
- Manufacturers have loaned more than 14,000 PWC to law enforcement, rescue and research organizations for use in on-water patrols, search and rescue operations, and marine mammal research.
As the trade association representing personal watercraft manufacturers in the U.S. , PWIA actively advocates for states to adopt reasonable regulations such as mandatory boating safety education for all PWC users, a minimum age of 16 to operate PWC, and daylight-only usage restrictions. PWIA’s mission is to ensure that personal watercraft and personal watercraft users are treated fairly when local, state and federal government officials consider boating regulations. More information on PWIA is available at www.pwia.org.
The following chart details national recreation areas, seashores, and lakeshores and their stage in the PWC review process. The National Park Service welcomes comments from the public.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE UNIT |
STATUS |
URL |
| Amistad National Recreation Area (TX) |
OPEN TO PWC as of May 27, 2004 |
www.nps.gov/amis |
| Assateague Island National Seashore (MD/VA) |
OPEN TO PWC as of June 30, 2003 |
www.nps.gov/asis |
| Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (MT/WY) |
OPEN TO PWC as of June 1, 2005 |
www.nps.gov/bica |
| Big Thicket National Preserve (TX) |
EA published July 24, 2002; draft rule in progress |
www.nps.gov/bith |
| Cape Lookout National Seashore (NC) |
EA in progress |
www.nps.gov/calo |
| Chickasaw National Recreation Area (OK) |
OPEN TO PWC as of September 2, 2004 |
www.nps.gov/chic |
| Curecanti National Recreation Area (CO) |
EA published June 13, 2003; draft rule in progress. |
www.nps.gov/cure |
| Fire Island National Seashore (NY) |
OPEN TO PWC as of July 6, 2005 |
www.nps.gov/fiis |
| Gateway National Recreation Area (NJ/NY) |
EA published May 13, 2003; draft rule in progress |
www.nps.gov/gate |
| Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ/UT) |
OPEN TO PWC as of May 1, 2003 |
www.nps.gov/glca |
| Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL/MS) |
EA published April 19, 2004; draft rule in progress |
www.nps.gov/guis |
| Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ/NV) |
OPEN TO PWC as of April 9, 2003 |
www.nps.gov/lame |
| Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (TX) |
OPEN TO PWC as of May 27, 2004 |
www.nps.gov/lamr |
| Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (WA) |
OPEN TO PWC as of June 25, 2004 |
www.nps.gov/laro |
| Padre IslandNational Seashore (TX) |
EA in progress |
www.nps.gov/pais |
| Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI) |
EA published July 22, 2002; draft rule in progress |
www.nps.gov/piro |
# # #
* Source: Ehlert PowerSports Business, Market Data Book 2004
+ Source: National Survey on Recreation and the Environment 2000, U.S. Forest Service
|