Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat News
The Newsletter of the Great Lakes
Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund
Volume 8, Number 4 • July-August 2000
Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat NewsThe Newsletter of the Great Lakes
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WHEN WE THINK OF SUMMER AND AQUATIC HABITATS, jet ski’s are cause for concern to fragile environments already under stress from waterfront developments, pollution and habitat degradation. Now thanks to the determination of Peter Bauer, Executive Director of Residents’ Committee to Protect the Adirondacks and other environmental organizations across New York, the Jet Ski Home Rule Bill is a tool we can use to protect and conserve aquatic habitats.
The Home Rule or Jet Ski Local Government Restrictions bill, A.8097-D / S.5309-C, has passed both the New York State Assembly and Senate. The Home Rule bill clarifies the authority of cities, towns, and villages to regulate the use of personal watercraft, commonly known as ‘jet skis.’ The bill, specifically allows municipalities to designate the bodies of water where ‘jet skis’ are permitted or prohibited, the hours when they may be operated and the speed to which they must be limited.
Another plus for the environment is a new bill regulating jet ski air emissions. The Jet Ski Emission bill, A.10851-A / S.7440-A, requires the Commissioner of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to develop regulations, which at a minimum, are equal to the California air emission reduction regulations for personal water craft. The bill mandates that the regulations apply to every new personal water craft that is manufactured for sale or offered for sale in New York. These bills are a start in the right direction, with the continued efforts of grass root initiatives, New Yorkers are diligently working towards cleaning up their own backyard. For more information, contact Great Lakes United at (716) 886-0142 or email glu@glu.org