National Park Service Announces Publication of Proposed Rules for New Boating and Water Use Regulations

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that new rules regarding boating and water use regulations in the National Park System have been published and are available to the public for review and comment. The public is encouraged to examine the proposed rules and provide comment to the NPS.

Amistad National Recreation Area Superintendent Alan W. Cox emphasized these regulations are not directly related to the proposed personal watercraft (PWC) rules now in review. The Amistad NRA PWC rule is expected to be open for public comment within the next 2 months. Cox added that if PWCs are again allowed at Amistad, their use will be subject to the proposed revisions to the boating and water regulations discussed above.

The process of rewriting these regulations began in 1997 specifically to address changing visitor use patterns and technologies and boating and water safety issues. The last time these regulations were revised was in 1983. The goal of the proposed regulations is to provide greater consistency with US Coast Guard and state laws and regulations, establish rules that will be more clearly understood by the visiting public and that can be more effectively communicated and enforced by NPS personnel. “It has been difficult for us to effectively enforce regulations that the public doesn’t understand” said National Park Service Director Fran Mainella. “We are pleased to be moving in the direction of straightforward, understandable regulations and most importantly, a safer park experience for our visitors.” An important emphasis in the proposed regulations is safety for children, something that has not been apparent in the current boating regulations.

The National Park Service is seeking comments from the public to determine if the proposed regulations make the parks safer places to visit for boaters and non-boaters, and if they help accomplish the mission of the NPS. The proposed regulations can be located and viewed at the following site: http://www.nps.gov/amis/part_three.pdf. The public may submit comments through December 24, 2003. Instructions for submitting comments can be found in the proposed regulations. Once the comment period is over, the NPS will review and analyze the responses before publishing the final regulations.

Press Releases
http://www.nps.gov/amis/part_three.htm
Released 10-1-03
For more information regarding this press release, or for further information, contact the Park's Public Information Officer at 830-775-7491,
or write:  Amistad National Recreation Area . HCR 3, Box 5-J . Del Rio, TX 78840