03-23-2006, 05:55 AM
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| Curecanti National Recreation Area Recommends PWC Use---(Colorado)
Quote:
WASHINGTON – The thorough process to evaluate personal watercraft (PWC) use at Curecanti National Recreation Area in Colorado has led to a proposed rule that would allow PWC use as previously managed, with the addition of a buffer zone. After a four-year delay, the proposed rule was published today in the Federal Register. The environmental assessment and other information can also be found on Curecanti National Recreation Area’s website at: http://www.nps.gov/cure/webvc/pwc_use.htm
The National Park Service will be accepting comments on the draft rule until May 16, 2006. Comments can be emailed to curecantipwc@urscorp.com (specify RIN 1024-AC99 in the subject line), or mailed to Superintendent, Curecanti NRA, 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230.
"Once again, another national park has concluded 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 15 consecutive instances where a completed environmental assessment has measured the impact of PWC on a body of water where motorized boating is permitted, these studies conclude that PWC should be allowed. The National Park Service must quickly finalize this rulemaking so that Coloradoans will not be denied the use of their personal watercraft on Blue Mesa reservoir for another boating season.”
In 2002, the National Park Service was required by a court settlement to restrict PWC in a handful of park units pending the results of scientific studies regarding the vessels’ impact. Curecanti completed its study in June 2003, and today published a proposed rule to welcome personal watercraft back into the recreation area, declaring that Alternative "A" is its preferred alternative, which is PWC use as previously managed with the addition of one buffer zone.
Five other national park units are in the final stages of the rulemaking process to determine if PWC will be allowed back into those park units. The environmental assessment study at Curecanti concludes, specifically, that PWC present “no significant impact,” and are an appropriate boating activity for the National Recreation Area.
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 up to 90 percent cleaner and 70 percent quieter than previous models. New models can seat up to three people and tow a water skier or wakeboard. 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
* Approximately 90 percent of all PWC sold in the U.S. in 2005 were 3-passenger vessels *
* Sales of 4-stroke PWC have surged over the last four years, and now account for over 80 percent of all PWC sold *
* Twenty million Americans enjoy personal watercraft each year, according to a government survey +
* U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that 99.99 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 http://www.pwia.org.
| PWIA
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