WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after submitting formal written comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) on the draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination (CD) for Havasu National Wildlife Refuge announced on April 12, 2016:
Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after submitting formal written comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) on the draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination (CD) for Havasu National Wildlife Refuge announced on April 12, 2016:
“Government agencies like the Fish and Wildlife Service continue to enact job-killing and unlawful regulations that cause severe harm to countless communities throughout the country. My investigation into these latest proposed boating restrictions uncovered that they are not based on science or safety, but rather are a backdoor attempt to limit recreational boating activities on the reservoir.
“I call on the Fish and Wildlife Service to listen to the thousands of people who have voiced opposition and scrap this terrible proposal that aims to close more areas on Lake Havasu to wake boarding, tubing, waterskiing and fishing. I hope the agency heeds the bipartisan concerns of numerous stakeholders and does the right thing for the community. Specifically, the agency should formally withdraw the draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination as soon as possible and reopen the ½ mile area closed to motorized boating activities as a result of the expansion of the no-wake zone on May 20, 2015. I will continue to do everything I can to keep Lake Havasu open for all users and I encourage everyone that also opposes this proposed overreach to email their comments before close of business today.”
Congressman Gosar has created a comprehensive information page on his website HERE documenting all relevant facts of this issue as well as a timeline of important events.
Congressman Gosar spearheaded a bipartisan effort submitted by 21 members of the House of Representatives that raised serious concerns about the CD and asked for an extension of the public comment period. The Congressman also submitted an appropriations rider, submitted a FOIA request, attended and helped secure a public meeting in Lake Havasu City, submitted numerous written comments and questions to the Service and interrogated several agency officials in attempting to prevent these arbitrary boating restrictions.
The Service is currently taking public comments on the draft recreational boating compatibility determination through close of business today, June 13, 2016.
