Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Watercraft Meeting

The National Park Service has begun planning for use of personal watercraft on Lake Superior within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. The planning is the result of a federal court ruling issued in July 2010, and will only apply to the use of personal watercraft. Under National Park Service regulations, such watercraft are defined as watercraft that are usually less than 16 feet long, use an inboard internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as the primary source of propulsion and are intended to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel. Some brand names are Sea-Doo, Jet Ski, and Wave Runner. What's known as "scoping" is the first step to involve the public in the environmental impact analysis process. Scoping includes holding meetings and providing opportunities for the public to comment either at those meetings or through other methods. The National Park Service uses the comments to identify the relevant issues and concerns and to ensure that it considers all possible alternatives for evaluating the effects of personal watercraft at the park. Comments may be submitted online at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/piropwc. They also may be mailed or faxed to: Superintendent, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Attn: PWC Environmental Assessment, P.O. Box 40, Munising, MI 49862. Fax to 906-387-4025. Comments should be submitted by November 9 to be most useful. Comments will not be accepted via email. For more information, contact Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore at 906-387-2607 or go online at www.nps.gov/piro.