In a major victory for the National Park System, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area's (GGNRA)
18 member Advisory Commission voted unanimously to approve the National Park Service's plan to
prohibit personal watercraft (PWC) use on the waters of the GGNRA, effective November 1st. This
commission is comprised of community members who bring local issues to the National Park Service's
attention.
Environmental groups such as Bluewater Network, a project of the Earth Island Institute, hail the
decision. "We strongly support the GGNRA for recognizing the damage personal watercraft, commonly
known as jet skis, inflict on the park's wildlife, public safety, visitor enjoyment, and the park's
resources. We hope other parks, such as Grand Teton, Lake Meredith, and Pictured Rocks follow Golden
Gate's excellent example and ban jet skis within their units," said Sean Smith, Bluewater Network's
Conservation Director.
Golden Gate's jet ski ban follows other high profile prohibitions, such as those recently enacted at
Grand Canyon and Olympic. Until recently, the Grand Canyon experienced minimal jet ski activity.
However, following the publication of several articles highlighting jet ski use in Grand Canyon, park
rangers observed 80 to 100 jet skis in the park every weekend. In response to this dramatic rise in
the number of jet skis, Grand Canyon Superintendent Robert Arnberger banned their use four weeks ago.
"The situation at the Grand Canyon proves that significant problems with jet skis can develop very
quickly. The Park Service deserves credit for banning their use at GGNRA and averting an ecological
disaster," commented Russell Long, Bluewater Network's Director.
Bluewater Network objects to jet ski use in the National Parks, emphasizing that the thrills
associated with their use come at a high price for the parks in the form of degraded wilderness,
increased conflicts with other recreation users, toxic water pollution, noise disturbances, harassed
and injured wildlife, and increased boating accidents. According to the California Air Resources
Board a two hour thrill ride on a 100 hp PWC will emit the same amount of hydrocarbon pollution as
driving a 1998 passenger vehicle 139,000 miles. "The National Parks, such as GGNRA 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 these special places be totally protected from jet ski damage," said
Smith. "And thankfully, the Advisory Commission agreed."
For more information contact:
Sean Smith
Conservation Director, Bluewater Network
415-788-3666, ext. 149
seansmith@earthisland.org
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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.
