A recent settlement in a case by environmentalists against the National Park Service says national recreation areas and seashores will become off limits for personal watercraft by September 2002, unless it can be shown that the boats do not harm the environment. The settlement approved by a federal judge puts the burden where it belongs - on those who allow noisy watercraft to interfere with the outdoor experience of others. Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area in Eastern Washington, one of the 21 areas in dispute, is launching an environmental assessment that may allow the boats to continue to zip around at least some parts of the lake. The recreation area last year completed a master plan allowing personal watercraft and other boats because the lake is big enough to accommodate a variety of uses. A park service ban would not apply to lake areas controlled by the Spokane Tribe and Colville Federated Tribes.
Tribal jurisdiction reaches to the middle of the lake in areas bordering reservations.
But the issue at Lake Roosevelt is not finally settled and shouldn't be. Here, too, the burden is on the park service and its public process to prove the vessels don't harm the environment. Other park studies show personal watercraft do damage air and water quality and public health, and interfere with visitor enjoyment. The best solution may be to allow personal watercraft in some areas and to ban them in others, especially those close to shorelines where children play. Jet Skis and personal watercraft users brought some of their opposition on themselves.