Natural Trails & Waters Coaliton

Big Cypress National Preserve
Oral arguments were held on July 10, 2002 in federal district court in Fort Myers, Florida regarding a case brought by the off-road vehicle community to reverse the protective Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan that will limit off-road vehicle use to the Preserve. The Department of Interior strongly supports the proposed off-road vehicle plan, that limits swamp buggies and other vehicles to 400 miles of designated routes.

There is no information regarding how or when the court will make their ruling, however, the magistrate will write a recommended decision for approval by a federal district judge.

Off-Road Vehicle Impairment in Canyonlands National Park
Originating in the Abajo Mountains, Salt Creek carves a spectacular canyon of high walls, pinnacles, and arches as it winds its way into Canyonlands National Park. It supports a diverse group of endangered species such as the Perigrine Falcon and the Mexican Spotted Owl, along with other sensitive and threatened species and a diverse array of mammals, amphibians, and plants. The Salt Creek Archeological District has the highest recorded density of archeological sites in the Park.

Until four years ago, the Park's Management Plan permitted off-road vehicles to travel through Salt Creek, whereby they were documented "crushing native vegetation and contaminating Salt Creek with engine fluids while splashing through Salt Creek over 100 times on their way to Angel Arch." A lawsuit filed by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance forced the Park Service to close the area while examining the level of environmental destruction and pollution caused by the vehicles. After a long debate and series of appeals, the Park Service decided to protect Canyonlands National Park by permanently closing Salt Creek to off-road vehicles. As documented in the most recent study released last month, the Park Service states that prohibiting off-road vehicles "…would provide the most protection to cultural and natural resources, and would cause the least damage to the biological and physical environment, by removing the direct impact caused by vehicle use, and by reducing the overall disturbance caused by presence of vehicles and the higher levels of human use facilitated by vehicle access."

REGIONAL NEWS

California

California Court Upholds Local Jet Ski Law

The California Court of Appeals has upheld a law enacted by Marin County that restricts jet skis in certain waterways. The jet ski ruling was challenged by the jet ski industry as being too vague, however, the Appeals Court disagreed, stating that county waters are clearly identifiable, which provides riders with enough notice so as to easily determine where water restrictions apply.
Supporters of the law have argued that the jet ski restrictions would promote public safety and environmental protection because personal watercraft threaten birds, seals, other marine life and cause air and water pollution.
See the article on our homepage: www.naturaltrails.org

Maryland

Assateague National Seashore

On April 22, 2002, the National Park Service shut down all jet ski use at thirteen parks nationwide. However, in a proposal to reopen parts of Assateague National Seashore, 95% of public comments submitted regarding the proposal favored permanently banning jet skis from the entire seashore. The comment period closed on July 5, 2002.

The Virginia Pilot reported favorably on the reactions of park visitors now that the machines are gone due to the court-ordered deadline.

Quote of the Week
"In every community across the nation, including Marin County, citizens should have the right to ban dangerous and noisy thrillcraft," said Russell Long, executive director of Bluewater Network, an environmental group that opposes the vessels. "This decision reaffirms our ability to do exactly that."
- San Francisco Chronicle
July 17, 2002

Note: The U. S. Senate could consider the Interior Appropriations bill this week.

For More Information Contact:
Alix Rauschman, Communications Specialist
(202) 429-2672 phone
(202) 549-2860 cell
alix_rauschman@tws.org
www.naturaltrails.org

The Natural Trails and Waters Coalition includes conservation, recreation, hunting and other groups working to protect and restore all public lands and waters from the severe damage caused by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, jet skis and all other off-road vehicles.