Personal watercraft are allowed to return to the Curecanti National Recreational Area in Colorado, the Personal Watercraft Industry Association announced.
"This is a huge victory," PWIA executive director Maureen Healey, said in a statement. "In every single instance when a scientific study has looked at the impact of PWC on a body of water where other motorized vessels are permitted, the results have come to the same conclusion that PWC should be re-allowed in that park."
The return of PWC to the Colorado park comes four years after a nationwide ban on PWC in certain national park areas. Since that time, 12 other national park units also have reversed their bans on the watercraft after concluding PWCs do not cause unique harm to the environment.
Two other national parks are in the process of determining if PWC should be allowed back, the association said.
The PWIA contends PWCs should be allowed in all public areas that allow other boats. A study released earlier this year, shows that the bans in the national parks have cost the U.S. economy an estimated $2.7 billion and more than 3,000 jobs, the association said.
