hellwoman
01-25-2007, 02:24 AM
Sanctuary should stick to scientific evidence
Dear editor:
As a professional water rescue educator, I train teams on search and recovery, water safety and maritime security. Essential components of my training program are to teach rescuers to analyze the facts of a situation, consider the impact of different courses of action, and make the best decision based on this knowledge.
The same technique should be applied when considering personal watercraft use within the boundaries of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. A recent guest opinion column (Review, Jan. 10) falsely stated that there is documented evidence that shows PWC harm wildlife in the sanctuary. This is not true.
A close examination of this "evidence" will reveal that the sanctuary has conducted no scientific study analyzing PWC impact on the local environment and wildlife as it drafted the proposed ban. It will reveal instead that this alleged "evidence" dates as far back to 1975 and contains speculative opinion pieces. In fact, no single supporting document considers the PWC that have been on the market for the last decade and are on the water today. These boats are 90 percent more emissions-free than those that pre-date 1998. They are among the most environmentally friendly boats on the water.
The most current PWC environmental and wildlife impact studies were completed between 2002 and 2006 by the National Park Service. All 15 of these studies found that PWC present no unique impact to the environment or wildlife and that they should not be banned where other boats are allowed.
While it is reprehensible for any boater to harass wildlife, it is not good policy to blame the boat itself or to label all Californians who own the same kind of boat as being a menace to society. Instead, reckless boaters should be dealt with individually.
There is still time for the sanctuary to uphold the scientific integrity that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is known for by removing its current proposed PWC ban from its draft management plan. Instead, the sanctuary should focus on outreach, education and reasonable regulations that won't compromise our ocean or discriminate against any one sport or boater.
Shawn Alladio
El Granada
http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2007/01/24/news/letter_to_the_editor/story1.txt
Dear editor:
As a professional water rescue educator, I train teams on search and recovery, water safety and maritime security. Essential components of my training program are to teach rescuers to analyze the facts of a situation, consider the impact of different courses of action, and make the best decision based on this knowledge.
The same technique should be applied when considering personal watercraft use within the boundaries of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. A recent guest opinion column (Review, Jan. 10) falsely stated that there is documented evidence that shows PWC harm wildlife in the sanctuary. This is not true.
A close examination of this "evidence" will reveal that the sanctuary has conducted no scientific study analyzing PWC impact on the local environment and wildlife as it drafted the proposed ban. It will reveal instead that this alleged "evidence" dates as far back to 1975 and contains speculative opinion pieces. In fact, no single supporting document considers the PWC that have been on the market for the last decade and are on the water today. These boats are 90 percent more emissions-free than those that pre-date 1998. They are among the most environmentally friendly boats on the water.
The most current PWC environmental and wildlife impact studies were completed between 2002 and 2006 by the National Park Service. All 15 of these studies found that PWC present no unique impact to the environment or wildlife and that they should not be banned where other boats are allowed.
While it is reprehensible for any boater to harass wildlife, it is not good policy to blame the boat itself or to label all Californians who own the same kind of boat as being a menace to society. Instead, reckless boaters should be dealt with individually.
There is still time for the sanctuary to uphold the scientific integrity that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is known for by removing its current proposed PWC ban from its draft management plan. Instead, the sanctuary should focus on outreach, education and reasonable regulations that won't compromise our ocean or discriminate against any one sport or boater.
Shawn Alladio
El Granada
http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2007/01/24/news/letter_to_the_editor/story1.txt