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Wave > Article Index > November / December 2004 > Adrenaline > Coalition Files...

November / December 2004 Issue

Coalition Files Petition to end Biscayne Bay PWC B

2/6/2004 7:12:59 PM by by Kelly Braden

A coalition in South Florida has filed a petition with the U.S. Interior Department to bring personal watercraft back to Biscayne National Park in Miami.

Biscayne National Park is south of Key Biscayne and north of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Coalition members say the park banned personal watercraft use in 1998 administratively through a "Superintendent's Compendium'' that said the watercraft adversely impact the park's environment. The National Park Service disagrees with many of the coalition's statements, including the date the ban took effect.

Monika Mayr, assistant superintendent for Biscayne National Park, said the ban went into effect at all national parks in April 2000.

The coalition says that many personal watercraft, or PWC, riders -and there are nearly 20,000 PWC registered in South Florida -- say it's unfair that all other types of recreational and commercial boats -- "even large commercial shipping vessels" -are allowed in the park's waters.

Not exactly so, Mayr says. The Biscayne National Park allows boats measuring not more than 150 feet in length to operate in the bay. She said the bay is closed to large commercial shipping. Capt. Andy Langesfeld and Capt. Peter Michelin, who operate El Club Watersports and have been guiding tourists and residents on PWC Tours of the Key Biscayne waters for many years, oppose the ban.

Langesfeld is the director and safety adviser for the American Personal Watercraft Association, a national nonprofit organization that provides educational programs for PWC rental businesses. Michelin is the former captain and trainer of the Lifeguard International Team for Argentina and a liaison to the International Lifesaving Association.

"We care about the environment and enjoy sharing our passion for nature, outdoor activities, boating and aquatic safety with our tour participants," the two captains sa

id in a prepared statement. "When we enjoy the surrounding waters near the Biscayne Park, it is difficult to explain to a kid riding with (his or her) parents on a PWC why they can't enjoy the park like every other boater. We use brand new PWCs, which are extremely clean and quiet, but we must abide by the current regulation, which prohibits us from entering the Biscayne National Park." Mayr says personal watercraft can operate in shallower water than propeller-driven boats and therefore the water-propulsion systems used to power them can "redistribute sediment'' adversely affecting the habitat of juvenile shrimp. Furthermore, she says the redistributed sediment can cover up sea grass that serves as an estuary for nesting aquatic birds. But, the captains disagree: "Recent studies have shown that PWC are one of the most environmentally friendly watercraft in existence and we believe they are the ideal vehicle to allow families to explore and discover nature with a much lesser impact than any other boat." As a result of technological advancements made by manufacturers, PWC that have been sold since the 1998 model year have incorporated emissions controls that make them 75 percent cleaner and 70 percent quieter. PWC operate by water propulsion and have no exposed propeller, which gives them the ability to navigate in shallower waters without adversely affecting sea grasses or coral reefs, the manufacturers say.

Mayr says PWC emissions and noise did play a part in the reasoning behind the April 2000 ban and adds manufacturers' improvements in those areas will be looked at when reviewing the coalition's petition.

The coalition contends that to date, 14 other national parks have completed a site-specific environmental assessment and every one of them has concluded that there is no reason to ban PWC on waters that allow other types of motorized vessels. Not exactly so, says Mayr. She said the PWC ban has not been lifted at an y national park since it went into effect in 2000. She does concede, however, that the park service has lifted PWC bans in some of what she calls "tier 2" areas -- national parks are "tier 1," she says -- that include national lakeshores and seashores. Yet, should the ban remain in effect, South Florida businesses will continue to be adversely affected.

"I estimate 90 percent of our customers used to ride at Biscayne National Park before the ban and now, today, there is so much uncertainty about where you can and where you cannot ride that it has taken a substantial toll on my business," Dave Bambas of Riva Motorsports said. Riva, owned by the Bambas family, is the largest watercraft dealership in the world. Garrett Hayim, who recently acquired Jet Ski of Miami and Fisherman's Boat Group, encourages PWC enthusiasts to visit www.boatbiscayne.com to take action by sending a letter from the Web site to the park superintendent, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, members of Congress, and state and local elected officials. To end the PWC ban, the multistep petition process, as outlined by the National Park Service, begins with an environmental assessment followed by a formal rule-making process.

The Personal Watercraft Industry Association, or PWIA, a group that represents PWC manufacturers, the American Watercraft Association, or AWA, which acts as the voice of PWC users and dealers, and the BlueRibbon Coalition, a national recreational access group, are original members of the coalition that is advocating for a PWC environmental assessment at Biscayne National Park. For information, visit www.boatbiscayne.com. Much has changed in boating over the years, the coalition says. Increased horsepower and the number of boaters on the waterways require that there be more responsible and informed riders. Efforts made by the PWC industry and the state of Florida in regard to education and legislation have, PWC experts say, improved PWC safety dramatically.

Safety aside, the typical PWC buyer today is older, about age 40, industry experts say. Most PWC seat up to four people and can tow a water-skier or wakeboard rider. And, those innovations, experts say, make a PWC a family-friendly, affordable entry into boating and recreation. Mayr wants the public to know that the National Park Service is not targeting PWC owners and that the implied scenario that the park service is favoring the rich yacht owner over the average family who can only afford a PWC is nonsense.