NEWS

Sat, Dec. 11, 2004

BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK

Parks Service rejects bid for a study of water bikes

BY KATHLEEN FORDYCE

The National Park Service denied a request by a coalition of personal watercraft groups for a study of water bikes' impact on Biscayne National Park, dealing a setback to efforts to return the sport craft to park waters.

The Personal Watercraft Industry Association filed a petition for the study in August, four years after the federal government banned water bikes -- known by their Kawasaki brand name Jet Ski -- in the area from Key Biscayne to North Key Largo.

The park service said Friday that Biscayne National Park banned the bikes after considering their impact on coral reefs and manatees as well as conflicts between fishermen and bike users.

''Based on these factors, Biscayne National Park determined that [personal water craft] use should not be allowed to continue,'' park service Director Donald Murphy said in a letter to the association. "The impacts considered by Biscayne National Park in 1998 continue to be applicable today.''

The coalition said newer models have less of an impact on the environment, especially in places like Biscayne National Park, where other motor craft are allowed.

''While this is a disappointing setback, it is far from a defeat,'' said coalition spokesman Brian Berry.

The group vowed to press for a study.

Barry said the decision bars about 17,000 area people with registered personal watercraft from using them in Biscayne.

''Every other type of boat is allowed in the park,'' he said. ``All we are asking is that they are put to the test.''

In 2000, the government banned the craft from 66 parks and national seashores around the country, including 172,000 acres of Biscayne National Park and Canaveral National Seashore north of Cocoa Beach.

The craft had previously been banned from Everglades National Park and the Lower Keys.

Key Biscayne is also debating whether to ban them on its beaches.