Paddling With The ACA

By David Jenkins, Director, ACA Department of Conservation and Public Policy

In recent issues of Paddler magazine and the American Canoeist, the ACA polled its members and other paddlers about their experience with "personal watercraft" (AKA "jet skis"). The response from readers was overwhelming--and overwhelmingly negative. We received hundreds of comments from paddlers expressing frustration and outrage on a host of issues related to jet ski use. Concerns included paddler safety, harassment of paddlers and wildlife, noise and water pollution, the use of jet skis on whitewater, and the further erosion of peaceful, wild places to paddle.

Many of you noted that, in the past, paddlers were largely able to avoid conflicts with traditional motorboats because the waterways preferred by paddlers are often not attractive or accessible to traditional motorboats. But such is not the case with jet skis--a craft capable of accessing small, shallow lakes and streams and even whitewater runs, particularly if the operator has a disregard for safety. Jet skis are literally showing up everywhere paddlers do. In addition to the threat they pose to paddling experiences we value so highly, jet skis have become a serious safety problem for paddlers and other waterway users. For example, in Pennsylvania, jet skis represent only 5.5 % of all registered boats. However, that 5.5 % is involved in 61 % of all on-water collisions in the state. Similarly, a study conducted by Boat U.S. shows that nationwide, jet skis account for approximately 11 % of all boats but are involved in more than 50 % of all boating accidents. The Center for Disease Control reports that over the past five years 32,954 people were treated in emergency rooms for jet ski-related injuries.

In addition to the threat they pose to the paddling experience, jet skis have become a serious safety problem for paddlers and other waterway users. For example, in Pennsylvania jet skis represent only 5.5 % of all registered boats. However, that 5.5 % is involved in 61 % of all on-water collisions in the state.

Unlike some groups rallying against all jet ski use, the ACA believes as an underlying principle that land and water use policy should allow for all Americans, regardless of their chosen recreational pursuits, to enjoy access to appropriate recreational resources in a safe and non-destructive fashion. In short, we are not opposed to all jet ski use, as some groups are currently proposing. Nonetheless, we believe we need to draw clear lines regarding their behavior and ensure the needs and safety of paddlers and other users are protected. This means identifying places where jet ski use is inappropriate and preventing use in those areas; ensuring that adequate regulations and penalties exist to protect paddlers from irresponsible jet ski use; and making sure those laws are enforced. But even accomplishing these goals will require a significant and orchestrated effort on the part of the nation's paddlers. The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA), which is working to expand jet ski use everywhere, has a large war chest, powerful lobbyists and a formidable legal team.

In order to represent the interests of paddlers and other waterway users, the ACA has formed the Coalition for Responsible Waterway Recreation (CRWR), comprised of organizations (both non-profit and commercial) which have an interest in the safe and non-destructive enjoyment of the nation's recreational waterways. CRWR's national agenda on the jet ski issue is reasonable and straightforward, and it promises to be an uphill battle. The cornerstone of CRWR's agenda is to establish adequate regulations in all 50 states, addressing the poor safety record of jet skis and protecting the rights of other waterway users. Other CRWR initiatives include amending the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund to give greater flexibility to resource managers regarding jet ski regulation and establishing policies within state and federal agencies ensuring responsible jet ski use. CRWR will also develop a collection of appropriate case law and ensure that the cost of policing irresponsible jet ski use is borne by the jet ski community and not by other recreational users or local tax payers. In creating CRWR, the ACA has committed staff and other resources to support the coalition's efforts, but we need your help. If you have a club, business or other organization that would like to be part of CRWR, contact the ACA conservation and public policy office at (703) 451-0141.

For more information on this and other work of the ACA visit the ACA webpage.