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Natural
Trails & Waters Coaliton Press Release Anti-National Parks Bill Advances Rep. Rush Holt's move to uphold public process and protect parks narrowly defeated Contact: Washington DC: Today, the House Resource Committee passed HR. 3853, a bill that contains language to delay protection for twenty one National Parks from jet ski abuse. This legislation, introduced by California Congressman George Radanovich and labeled a "technical corrections" bill, interferes with a National Park Service rulemaking that has strong public support and undermines a federal court settlement. Congressman Rush Holt of New Jersey offered an amendment to strike the jet ski extension language from the bill. Holt's amendment narrowly lost a recorded vote. The bill now advances for a floor vote. "Once again, the Resource Committee leadership has placed personal watercraft industry's agenda above the protection of our beloved National Parks," said Sean Smith, Bluewater Network's Public Lands Director and former Park ranger. "Thankfully, Representative Rush Holt is fighting these efforts and defending the best interests of the American public and our parks." PWC, better known by the trade name jet ski, are known to cause significant damage to air and water quality, visitor enjoyment, public health and safety, natural soundscapes, and wildlife. Since 1988, several National Park units have decided to close their waters to jet skis to protect natural resources, wildlife, and other park visitors. At Cape Cod National Seashore, a citizen-led advisory commission found that personal watercraft use was incompatible with the park's enabling legislation that sought to preserve not only unique lands and waters, but also protect values like solitude and tranquility. At Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Park Service held three public meetings and conducted a public comment period. Ninety-six percent of those who commented favored a ban on personal watercraft use in the park. "Time and time again, jet skis have been found to degrade the environment and the public's enjoyment of National Parks," said Kristen Brengel, Campaign Coordinator for the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition, a national coalition of over 90 groups working to protect public land and waters from the abuse caused by jet skis and other off-road vehicles. "We applaud the efforts of Representative Holt to protect these special places now and in the future." In March 2000, the National Park Service finalized regulations that prohibit personal watercraft operation in roughly 67 parks, but 21 parks were exempted from this ban. In August 2000, Bluewater Network challenged the regulations in court (Bluewater Network v. Stanton). The following April, a settlement was approved that requires all parks excluded from the system-wide ban to conduct environmental reviews and adopt special regulations, if long-term jet ski use is to continue. Park waters would be closed to jet skis if the work is not completed by court ordered deadlines. In eight of these units - five national seashores, one lakeshore, and two national recreation areas - park superintendents have already determined that jet ski use is incompatible with the mission of their respective unit due to public safety, wildlife, and natural resource impacts. HR 3853 would throw these decisions in doubt. "Almost two years ago to this day, the Park Service determined that most jet ski use in park units is inconsistent with its mission to protect natural resources and public safety-the public agreed," said Sean Smith.
"This anti-National Parks legislation has received no hearings
for the public and Congress to hear out both sides of the issue,"
said Kristen Brengel. "The legislation is being pushed through
without considering the damage caused by jet skis."
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