San Francisco, CA -- On Tuesday the National Park Service (NPS) is expected to release for
public comment regulations to address the problem of noisy, dangerous, and
polluting "personal watercraft", commonly known as jet skis, in the
National Parks. Bluewater Network, a project of the Earth Island
Institute, strongly opposes the new regulations because they continue jet
ski use at current levels while providing mechanisms for increased activity.
"These new regulations are woefully inadequate. If the NPS continues to
allow jet skis, we will be forced to pursue legal means to protect the last
of America's pristine wilderness," according to Sean Smith, Bluewater
Network's Conservation Director. We appreciate the decision by the Park
Service to prohibit jet skis in 75% of the National Park System that
doesn't already have them, but the regulations still provide ways for jet
skis to be used in the 87 parks that currently allow boating."
Russell Long, Director of Bluewater Network said, "These regulations are
like Swiss cheese, there are so many holes in them. Americans are besieged
by jet skis on virtually every water body in the US. We need to be able to
get away from them somewhere. It's up to the Park Service to draw the line."
Thrill craft damage park resources, and degrade the wilderness experience
for other visitors. The harmful effects include increased conflicts with
other recreation users, toxic water pollution, noise disturbances, harassed
and injured wildlife, and increased boating accidents.
Scientific studies support Bluewater Network's concerns. According to the
California Air Resources Board, a two hour thrill ride on a 100hp PWC emits
the same amount of pollution as driving a 1998 passenger vehicle 139,000
miles. "Jet skis are floating chainsaws, emitting high levels of toxic
pollution and irritating noise. This is an inappropriate form of
recreation in areas which symbolize our national heritage," said Smith.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a single PWC's two-stroke
engine emits 25% of its gas and oil directly into park waters. "A single
jet ski can emit up to 6 gallons of oil and gas in just two hours. The
Park Service wouldn't allow a park visitor to dump that much gas and oil
into park waters, so why would they allow a jet skier to do it?" continued
Smith. Adding to the concern are new studies conducted last year by James
T. Oris of Miami University, Ohio, which finds that fish growth is reduced
by up to 46% when larvae are exposed to two-stroke engine pollution.
Under the current version of the regulations, 13 park sites such as Golden
Gate National Recreation Area (NRA) and Gulf Island National Seashore (NS),
superintendents will have the discretion to allow or disallow jet ski use.
In another 12 sites such as Cape Hatteras NS and Pictured Rocks National
Lakeshore (NL), PWC use may continue unregulated for a grace period of two
years, or indefinitely if special regulations are adopted for individual
parks during that time. In the remaining 62 parks such as Yellowstone and
Everglades, the Park Service could write special regulations at any point
authorizing jet ski activity. "Just like the snowmobile regulations in the
National Parks, this proposal is an "open access" rule masquerading as a ban."
Public opinion supports Bluewater Network's call for a prohibition. A
poll conducted this year by Colorado State University found that 92% of
Americans support either banning or severely restricting jet ski use in the
National Parks. "How can the Park Service ignore the overwhelming public
opposition to jet ski use in our precious National Parks?" asked Smith.
Tomorrow, Bluewater Network will submit to the National Park Service the
names of nearly 6,000 Americans who support a PWC ban. "The National Parks
are some of America's most sacred places. They make up less than 4% of the
landmass of the country. We believe it isn't too much to ask that they be
totally protected from jet ski damage," said Smith, and "millions of
Americans agree."
For more information contact:
Sean Smith
Conservation Director, Bluewater Network
415-788-3666, ext. 149
seansmith@earthisland.org
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Bluewater Network is the largest coalition of boaters, scientists,
low-impact recreation enthusiasts, wildlife advocates, marine industry
experts, and clean water advocates working to reduce the environmental
impacts of recreational boating. Bluewater acts as an information
clearinghouse and support mechanism for communities and government agencies
working to regulate and prohibit two-stroke engines as well as personal
watercraft (PWC)
Beta Available: Broadcast quality video of jet ski and the pollution
damage caused by two-stroke motors is available from Bluewater Network.
