From Jane Clark - [log in to unmask] Iowa is critical to this campaign since it is one of the four states that will be given particular significance by the National Parks Service. Unless environmentalists respond with numbers equaling or exceeding the personal watercraft petitions the National Park Service might be pressured into lifting the ban. If this ban is removed other areas managed by the park service will probably be targeted. Letters may be sent directly to: Paul Hedren Superintendent National Parks Service Missouri National Recreational River PO Box 591 O'Neill NE 68763 E-mail: [log in to unmask] HELP PROTECT NATIONAL PARKS FROM JET SKIS (Deadline Sept 30) In April the National Park Service announced a ban on jet skis (also called personal watercraft) in most National Parks, including the Niobrara/ Missouri National Scenic Riverways in Nebraska and South Dakota. Unfortunately, a vocal group of jet ski dealers is demanding that the park scrap the ban and allow jet skiers to run their noisy, polluting machines wherever they want. Bowing to demands from the South Dakota's Representative John Thune, the NPS opened up a public comment period on the jet ski ban on the Missouri and Niobrara Rivers. If the jet skiers succeed in overturning this existing ban on the Missouri and Niobrara, it would set a horrendous precedent for the entire National Park System. ACTION: Please send an e-mail, letter, or fax to Park Superintendent Paul Hedren at [log in to unmask] by September 30th, urging him to uphold the ban on jet skis in the Niobrara and Missouri National Scenic Riverways. Tell him that jet skis are noisy, polluting thrill craft that are inappropriate in a National Park where the preservation of water, wildlife, and natural sites and sounds is the primary mission. MNRR PWC <[log in to unmask]> Please note this is an underscore, not a dot. The mailer that you might have received from Sierra Club in Bozeman, MT had the address incorrect. MISSOURI RIVER PLEA FROM SOUTH DAKOTA SIERRA CLUB Most of the 2,300 miles of the Missouri River is intensely developed, with giant reservoirs in the upper basin and navigation channels in the lower. The two free-flowing stretches of the Missouri River, forming the boundary of South Dakota with Nebraska, are pristine enough to be designated among the National Wild and Scenic Rivers, and as National Recreational Rivers. These segments of the river still exhibit the river's dynamic character in their islands, bars, chutes, and snags – characteristics that would be recognized by Lewis and Clark. The United States Park Service has declared these small areas (98 miles) off-limits to jet skis and this decision has sparked an intense controversy. The numerous small sandbars of these beautiful sections are important nesting areas for the endangered Interior Least Tern and the threatened Piping Plover. The endangered Pallid Sturgeon is also found in these stretches. These sections of the river are unique as a refuge for wildlife and for humans seeking tranquillity – free-flowing stretches that belong to Iowans and every citizen of the United States. The National Park Service has banned jet skis from this area to preserve these native species and to set aside an area for natural river experiences. Thrill watercraft, such as jet skis, have a high wildlife impact, cause noise and water pollution, sandbar erosion, and safety concerns. Usually, at least 97% of the Missouri River surface is available for jet skis, but when the reservoirs are at their maximum projected elevation, up to 99% of the surface of the river is available for jet ski activity. Thrill watercraft users are fighting for 100% of the surface. The Living River Group of the Sierra Club of South Dakota supports the park service decision and they hope you might help them in a postcard, letter and e-mail campaign. Iowa is critical to the campaign since Iowa is one of the four states that will be given particular significance by the National Parks Service. The comment period extends through September 30th. Letters are particularly useful, and according to the NPS will count more than a post card or e-mail. Write or e-mail the NPS and urge them to keep the ban on these two free-flowing segments of the Missouri. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]