NEWS RELEASE
June 22, 2000
For more information:
Peter Bauer, Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks, (518) 251-4257
David Higby, Environmental Advocates, (518) 462-5526
William Cooke, National Audubon Society, (518) 869-9731
Neil Woodworth, Adirondack Mountain Club, (518) 449-3870
Rob Foster, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (518) 434-8171
John Stouffer, Sierra Club, (518) 426-9144
John Sheehan, Adirondack Council, (518) 432-1770
Daniel Mackay, New York League of Conservation Voters, (518) 472-1770
Jeff Anzevino, Scenic Hudson, (914) 473-4440
Environmental Groups Hail Agreement on Jet Ski Home Rule Bill
Senate and Assembly to Pass Bill Authorizing
Creation of Personal Watercraft Regulation Zones
Bill would provide "home rule" authority to towns, villages and cities to regulate jet skis
Albany, June 22, 2000 - The New York State Assembly and Senate have negotiated an agreement to pass historic legislation to empower towns, villages and cities across New York with the authority to fully regulate the operation, including prohibition, of Personal Watercraft (PWCs), commonly known as jet skis. A broad coalition of environmental organizations, local government officials and associations, businesses, sportsmans groups, and lakes associations supported this legislation. From Long Island to the Adirondacks to the Great Lakes, jet skis are a common nuisance that local governments were powerless to ban.
The agreement (A. 8097-c, S. 5309-c) amends legislation sponsored by Assembly member Thomas DiNapoli (D-North Hempstead) and Senator Carl Marcellino, and co-sponsored by Senator Ronald Stafford.
This landmark legislation amends the State Navigation Law to provide local towns, villages, and cities throughout New York State with authority to create "Personal Watercraft Regulation Zones" on waterbodies within their jurisdiction out to 1,500 feet from shorelines and islands to regulate, including prohibit, the operation of jet skis within their jurisdictions. Currently, local communities have limited authority under the State Navigation Law to regulate jetskis and no authority to prohibit them. This legislation also clarifies sign ordinance requirements for how communities will inform the public about the laws and exempts jet ski operations in all "federally designated and maintained channels" across New York.
"This historic legislation empowers local governments across New York to regulate and even ban jet skis," said Peter Bauer, Executive Director of the Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks. "By creating Personal Watercraft Regulation Zones municipalities will be finally able to defend their local interests and control an activity that is out of control on our lakes, rivers and coastal areas across New York."
David Higby of Environmental Advocates stated: "New York's recreational assets and environment should not be subjugated to the joy-riding whims of a few thrill seekers. Local governments increasingly understand this and should be empowered to do something about that."
"Irresponsible jet ski use on lakes and rivers has ruined the quiet enjoyment of many a canoeist and cottage owner," said Neil Woodworth, Counsel for the Adirondack Mountain Club. "This new law allows communities to protect their tourism appeal and water quality."
"This legislation is not a mandate, but a tool - one that we expect to see applied judiciously by local municipalities to protect the quality of New York State's environmental habitat and recreational experience," said Daniel Mackay, of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
Jet skis, officially called personal watercraft, have grown ubiquitous on waters across New York in recent years. Jet skis are widely disliked because of the noise from their high-pitched whine, design for reckless operation, disturbances of nesting waterfowl, and because they disrupt activities of swimmers, anglers, and canoeists, among others. Jet skis are overwhelming propelled by 2-stroke engines, which discharge over one-third of all oil and gas directly into the water, making them one of the most highly polluting motorized watercraft. Jet skis are a nuisance for many people on shorelines and those operating shoreline businesses that market quiet lake and river experiences. Jet skis are also the most dangerous type of motorized watercraft: while just 8 percent of the total number of registered boats in New York, jet skis are involved in over 30 percent of all accidents.
"The Hudson River and other water bodies of New York are treasures," says Ned Sullivan, Executive Director of Poughkeepsie-based Scenic Hudson. "This bill gives communities an important tool to ensure that everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy these treasures without disruption from the noise, pollution, and safety hazards of inappropriate operation of jet skis," Sullivan said. "I commend Assemblyman DiNapoli and his colleagues and the New York State Senate and urge Governor Pataki to sign this bill, which is consistent with his commitment to the environment and home rule."
"The Adirondack Park is a peaceful refuge for millions of New Yorkers," said Tim Burke, Executive Director of the Adirondack Council. "We are all indebted to the sponsors of this legislation."
"This bill unites all the interests of homeowners, local homeowners, local governments, boaters, and wildlife enthusiasts, for that we thank the bill sponsors in the Assembly and the Senate," said Dave Gibson of the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks.
"As a result of this legislation, coastal communities will be able to protect ecologically sensitive areas like wetlands, from the degrading effects of jet skis," said Robert Foster, Legislative Director for the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "This is especially important for towns and villages along the Long Island Sound, Peconic Bay, and South Shore Estuary."
"The personal commitment of Assembly member Thomas DiNapoli, Senators Marcellino and Stafford, as well as the support of the Governor's office was the key to this bill becoming law," said William Cooke, Director of Governmental Relations for the National Audubon Society in New York State.
"Jet skis are noisy, polluting, disruptive of wildlife and crash a lot; now thanks to the action of the Assembly and the Senate, municipalities can protect their residents from this 'scourge of the seas'," said John Stouffer, Legislative Director, Sierra Club - Atlantic Chapter.
In addition to the environmental community, the Jet Ski Home Rule Bill has been endorsed by the NYS Association of Towns, NYS Conference of Mayors, NYS Federation of Lake Associations, NYS Conservation Council, Association of Adirondack Towns and Villages, and numerous towns, lake associations, and businesses.
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