Re: [Paddlewise] Why hate all Jetskiers? (Re: Vote in poll on Jet skis)

From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk_at_gsp.org>
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 07:55:09 -0400
On Tue, Jul 14, 1998 at 09:36:31PM -0400, Scott Ives wrote:
>   However, taken to extreme the anti-environment argument just doesn't
> fly.  

That's why no one has proposed taking it to an extreme: because it
doesn't fly.  (There is also no reason to do so.)  I would suggest
instead of taking it to an extreme that you consider it on its merits
as it stands: jet skis emit ferocious quantities of sound, air, and
water pollution -- in quantities far in excess of that generated by,
say, automobiles.  (Did you see the stats on this quoted by another
author in an article here yesterday?)

And if that wasn't bad enough, because they can reach almost anywhere
in an aquatic environment, they are capable of emitting this pollution
into extremely sensitive areas, where it can have a disproportionate impact.

Jet ski manufacturers are well aware of this, and have been for some time;
yet they have steadfastly refused to address the issue (other than with
rhetoric).  Jet ski users have not, as a group, demanded that it be addressed;
simultaneously, they have continued to operate their PWC and to often
do so in sensitive areas (e.g. the group which was turned backed by
the National Park Service while trying to run a wilderness river canyon
earlier this spring).  In fact, I see no evidence to date to indicate that
either group will deal with this issue (or, for that matter, the related
safety issues) unless they are forced to.

Which is what will now happen.

---Rsk
Rich Kulawiec
rsk_at_gsp.org
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Received on Wed Jul 15 1998 - 04:54:30 PDT

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