The Debate on Waterway Closures

• New Developments
• Issues at Stake
• Taking Action

New Developments

Recent incidents of public waterway closures in the Ft. Lauderdale, FL area have sparked widespread panic among the water sports community. The canals around Ft. Lauderdale contain some of the country's most popular waterskiing, wakeboarding, and barefooting locations. Though several canals were closed to motorized water sports years ago, a recent City commission referendum brought by local home owners considered the pros and cons of privatizing one of the last main stretches. The referendum ended in a hotly contested debate, but the area in question remains public, and formerly closed areas of the canal were re-opened. This was a real victory for water sports enthusiasts, but recent developments indicate that these decisions may be overturned.

Issues at Stake

The conflict over the privatization of waterways is not limited to areas one would traditionally consider watersports hotspots. Recent reports of water closures in Wisconsin and Minnesota accompany a rumored ban on all inboard motors in California. Concerns about protecting natural habitats and nesting areas against churning water and exhaust fumes, as well as concern for traffic laws and safety drive the majority of arguments in favor of waterway privatization.

Taking Action

What can you do? If you're a homeowner along a waterway that is used for watersports, take time to instruct those you see inadvertently threatening the well-being of the environment, or unwittingly causing a hazard to others. If you're a water enthusiast using these waterways, take time to learn about the natural wildlife and rules of the road. You'll find that this not only increases your enjoyment of your favorite skiing and boarding spots, but also diffuses arguments in favor of privatizing these waterways. The USA Water Ski Society provides up-to-date information on water closure legislation and resources for education and action. Their web address is www.usawaterski.org and their phone number is (863) 324-4341. Boat US provides resources for environmental stewardship (www.boatus.com/cleanwater/environmental), as well as links to marine issues at the federal level. All in all, respect for the living things (both human and wild) attached to any public waterway is the best measure of defense against closures. It never hurts to take some good, old-fashioned grass-roots action, too.

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