An upcoming ban on Jet Skis, Wave Runners and Sea Doos at Lake Powell is making waves, and making people very angry.
The shutdown is likely to be only temporary.
But in Page, Arizona, it has stirred up deep and long-term hostility to the National Park Service.
News Specialist John Hollenhorst reports.
More Info:
Public Comment:
- Email: GLCA_PWC@nps.gov
- Phone #:
(928) 608-6200
- Mail to:
National Park Service
Glen Canyon NRA
Attn: Park Planning
P.O. Box 1507
Page, Arizona 86040
|
A ban on Personal Watercraft? At Lake Powell? They're so central to the fun and games here... it's like banning presents at Christmas, or kicking surfboards out of Hawaii.
RYAN WAGNER/ORANGE, CAL: "WE CAN'T COME HERE ANY MORE BECAUSE OF IT. I DON'T LIKE IT. HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER LAKE TO GO TO."
The ban takes effect September 15th. It will last at least until the National Park Service finishes a study on environmental impacts.
Kitty Roberts/Superintendent, Glen Canyon Natl. Rec. Area
KITTY ROBERTS/ SUPERINTENDENT, GLEN CANYON NATL. REC. AREA: "WATER QUALITY, AIR QUALITY, SOUND, WILDLIFE, VEGETATION, VISITOR CONFLICTS, ECONOMIC IMPACTS..."
Park Service officials didn't choose the ban.They've long said long said there IS a place for Personal Water Craft at Lake Powell. But environmentalists filed suit.
The Water Craft industry calls it one small step towards the environmentalist dream of draining Lake Powell.
TIM MCDANIELS/DOO-POWELL, INC.: "YOU KNOW I THINK THE GOAL IS WHAT THEY'VE ALWAYS STATED THE GOAL IS. THEY WANT TO RETURN THE LAKE TO ITS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND STOP ANY USE THERE."
The ban resulted from a controversial out-of-court settlement. The Park Service agreed to finish environmental studies by September 15th. But they missed the deadline, so the ban takes effect until they finish.
JOHN HOLLENHORST REPORTING: "THE ISSUE IS NOT FUN AND GAMES FOR THE LAKE POWELL BUSINESS COMMUNITY. THEY'RE FURIOUS ABOUT THE BAN. AND THAT CAME OUT IN A RAUCOUS PUBLIC MEETING."
PAGE BUSINESSMAN: "IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S ALL BEING MISMANAGED, NOT MANAGED! AND THAT THE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SCREWED!" applause. "IN EVERY WAY!"
Park Service officials took an hour and a half of catcalls, criticism and scorn.
GUY YELLING: "PROTECT THE SPOTTED OWL! WHAT ABOUT PROTECTING US!!!"
"YOU'VE GOT FAMILIES THAT ARE STARVING IN THIS TOWN. PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO LEAVE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T WORK! BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET THE JOB DONE? THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME!"
The Park Service says they got a late start on the environmental study because Congress didn't approve funds until early this year.
KITTY ROBERTS/ SUPERINTENDENT, GLEN CANYON NATL. REC. AREA: "SO WE THINK WE'RE ON A VERY FAST TRACK."
Ironically, Park Service conclusions already seem clear. Personal watercraft will likely return to Lake Powell after the study is done.
KITTY ROBERTS/ SUPERINTENDENT, GLEN CANYON NATL. REC. AREA: "THE STUDIES THAT WE DO HAVE UNDERWAY AS PART OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT DO NOT LEAD US TO BELIEVE THAT WE WILL REQUIRE A TOTAL BAN."
The Park Service hopes to decide the isue once and for all before Jet Ski season next year. John Hollenhorst, Eyewitness News, Lake Powell.
An environmental group called the BlueWater Network has already suggested the possibility of further legal action... if the Water Craft are allowed back on the lake next year.
July 22, 2002
