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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS 3 News National Park Service limits personal watercraft use to protect park values, reduce visitor conflicts WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2000 National Park Service Director Robert Stanton announced that a final rule for managing Personal Watercraft (PWC) use in areas of the National Park System goes into effect April 20, 2000. The rule was published in the Federal Register on March 21, 2000. The National Park Service is charged with protecting this nations natural and cultural heritage while providing for the publics enjoyment of the places entrusted to our care, said Stanton. Because of this mandate, we adopted a prudent approach to managing personal watercraft that allows their use, yet protects park values, sensitive natural areas, and plants and animals, and reduces conflicts with park visitors who seek solitude and traditional recreational activities such as canoeing and hiking. The final rule prohibits PWC use in national park areas unless the service determines that recrethis type of water-base- d ational activity is appropriate for a specific park based on the legislation establishing that area, the parks resources. and. values, other visitor uses of the area, and overall management objectives. The rule also recognizes that PWC use may be appropriate in portions of certain areas such as Lake Mead (AZNV) and Glen Canyon (AZUT) National Recreation Areas (NRAs), where Congress directed the Service to manage an active motorized water-base- d recreation program e on large lakes. The rule allows two methods of authorizing PWC use. The first method, referred to as Park man-mad- tablishing these 10 Park Desigd nated areas shows that recreation was a primary purpose for these parks and that they are characterized by substantial motorized boating use. Nine of the park areas contain e lakes created by the construction of dams, and one n and park area has bay waters. At this time, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area will not be making any immediate changes to existing uses, said water-relate- man-mad- sea-doo- open-ocea- F. to Alston. Prior implementing any limitations or restrictions on personal watercraft use on Lake Powell a thorough public involvement process will be followed. The timetable for this process has not yet been decided , but interested parties can check for information on Glen Canyons web page at www.nps.govglca for future developments. Over the past two years, this issue has generated a great deal of interest at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area by both users and those who oppose use. As a result of this, we have Superintendent Joseph rite (fi&i created a. mailing list of interested parties. If you would like to be included in this list, please write to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1507, Page, Arizona 86040 or email us at www.nps.govglcasuper-intenden- t. Please do not send in a duplicate request if you have previously contacted us. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register for public comment on Septem- ber 15, 1998 (63 FR 49312) with the comment period lasting until November 16, 1998. The Ser- vice received more than 20,000 availPWC is use, Designated timely written responses during able for a small group of Na- the comment period. tional Park Service areas, where PWC use has been controverauthorization might be appro- sial in many places throughout priately and successfully accom-plishe- d the country. The Services conthrough a Park cerns, coupled with an analysis Superintendents Compendium, of the comments received, led a locally based procedure for the agency to conclude that PWC implementing restrictions. The use is inappropriate in most arsecond method, Special Regula- eas of the National Park Systion rulemaking through the tem, and appropriate in only a Federal Register, is available small number of areas. for other park areas where auPrior to release of the proposed thorization of PWC use may be rule, a dramatic increase in PWC deemed appropriate. use had been observed in 32 of the 87 units of the National Park The first, or locally-basemethod may allow PWC use to System that allow motorized continue in all or part of the fol- boating. PWC use is specifically prohiblowing NPS units identified in the final rule: 10 NRAs, including ited at Yellowstone (WYMTJD) Amistad (TX), Bighorn Canyon and Everglades (FL) National (MT), Chickasaw (OK), Curecanti Parks; Buffalo National River (CO), Gateway (NY), Glen Can-yo- n (AR) and Ozark National Scenic (AUT), Lake Mead (AZNV), Riverways (MO) through special Lake Meredith (TX), Lake regulations and other manageRoosevelt (WA), Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinit- y ment restrictions issued prior to this rulemaking process. (CA). A review of the legislation es A number of areas closed to d, Recreation Area (CA); Apostle jet pump as its primary source Islands (WI) and Sleeping Bear of power. They are operated by National persons sitting, standing, or Dunes (MI) NaSt. Croix Lakeshores; and kneeling on the vessel. Designed tional Scenic Riverway (WIMN ). for speed and maneuverability, PWCs are not motorboats. they are commonly referred to National Canyonlands (UT) and as jet skis, waverunners, Canaveral (FL) Parks; Cape They are small vessel s, Sealess than 16 feet which use an wavejammers, wetjets, Hatteras (NC) National shores; Golden Gate National inboard motor powering a water wetbikes, and surfjets. PWC use as a result of the current rulemaking process. These include: Biscayne (FL), Isle Royal (MI), Glacier (MT), Olympic (WA), Grand Canyon (AZ), Bring the family and save up to 40 on a vacation in paradise. There's no fishing trip anywhere like a houseboat vacation on Lake Powell, a now to the end of May you can save from 10 to 40 on houseboat packages. breathtaking jewel of blue water set amid red rock canyons, sandy beaches, and Come, have the time of your life fishing and relaxing - in a world that can only be imposing landscapes. This also happens to be a great time to visit, because from described as divine. For more information, call toll free 800-945-LAK- E. TO Americas Natural Playground! Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, managed by ARAMARK, is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service. |