The National Park Service announced yesterday that next month it will begin banning Jet Skis and other personal motorized watercraft in 66 national parks, seashores, and recreation areas. But the machines will still be allowed in 10 national recreation areas where they are heavily used; 11 other areas will have two years to phase them out. Jet Ski critics argue that the noisy vehicles shatter the tranquility of many parks, pollute the air and water, and disturb wildlife. The NPS is trying to take a middle path by allowing some continued use, but environmental groups accused the park service of caving in to pressure from the watercraft industry and Jet Ski users at the expense of environmental protection. Enviros may sue to get an outright ban on the watercraft in national parks and recreation areas.
