Our nation's beaches and coastal habitats are among the most diversely beautiful—and fragile—ecosystems in existence today. From the sand-swept dunes of Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina to the spiky sawgrass of Everglades National Park, coastal habitats shelter thousands of species of migratory birds, sea turtles, and marine animals and provide us with countless recreational pursuits.

The saltmarsh habitat and rolling sand dunes of Assateague Island National Seashore, which blankets the coast of Maryland and Virginia, provide cover from predators as well as breeding and nesting ground for brown thrashers, seaside sparrows, and Carolina wrens.
   While on the opposite coast, the sheer rock cliffs and Pacific beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore, an hour north of San Francisco, serve as home to elk, mountain lions, bobcats, and nearly 500 species of birds.

Over the years, environmental stress, coastal erosion, and suspect fishing practices have taken their toll on these sandy havens, choking them with contaminants and reducing their multi-hued schools of fish. Worse yet, adverse conditions in these coastal habitats are threatening the migration and reproductive patterns of numerous waterfowl.

Personal Watercraft
Clean fun or pollution problem?

   One of the greatest threats to beach habitats today is the use of personal watercraft, or PWCs. Commonly referred to as Jet Skis or Wave Runners, these noisy water vehicles flush wildlife from their cover, promote nest abandonment, and stress marine mammals and waterfowl.

In addition, they also serve as a tremendous source of pollution. According to a recent Environmental Protection Agency study, nearly one-third of PWCs' fuel and oil can be leaked directly into the water and air. In one day, a PWC can produce the same amount of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide as a late-model passenger car driven 100,000 miles.

Their compact size allows them to maneuver into more remote areas of shallow water, areas a boat wouldn't attempt to navigate, where they can do substantial damage, such as chewing up mangrove roots and stands of billowing seagrass in Florida waters.