Watercraft industry wants Biscayne ban lifted

By David Fleshler

Claiming that Jet Skis, WaveRunners and other personal watercraft are no longer noisy, pollution-belching machines, the industry wants them allowed back into Biscayne National Park.

A coalition of manufacturers, dealers and enthusiasts plans to file a petition today with the National Park Service to overturn a ban imposed at Biscayne in 2000, when the craft were excluded from dozens of national parks.

They say the ban across the park system has cost the economy $2.7 billion and 3,300 jobs. And they say it discriminates against 18,000 personal watercraft owners in Broward, Monroe and Miami-Dade counties, because the new generation of vessels emits less pollution and noise than many conventional powerboats.

"Every other type of boat is allowed in that park," said Brian Berry, spokesman for the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, which includes Kawasaki Motors Corp., Yamaha Motor Corp., BRP US Inc. and American Honda Motor Co.

"You have 18,000 registered personal watercraft users who, for no scientific reason whatsoever, are banned from waters others are allowed into."

The Park Service last year denied a previous petition to regain access to the 173,000-acre park.