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NPS arrowhead National Park Service, Department of the Interior Office of Communications 1849 C Street NW Washington DC 20240
202-208-6843 phone, 202-219-0910 fax
National Park Service News Release


For Immediate Release:
August 26, 2003
Contact(s):   Kym Hall, (202) 208-4206

Gerry Gaumer, (202) 208-4989


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

(Washington, D.C.) --- 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.

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 U.S. 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 on the Federal Register website at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html. 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.

-NPS-

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click here for Proposed Regulations located on the Federal Register website

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