|
Find Recreation Areas with BOATING Activities |
Boating
Each year, an estimated
74 million Americans
enjoy the pleasures
of recreational boating.
Your public parks,
lakes, and rivers provide
excellent boating opportunities.
Boating is a great
way to enjoy America’s
coastal and river-front
scenery. It can be
as easy as relaxing
in a boat or as rigorous
as paddling the Arkansas
River in a kayak. If
you do not own a boat,
there are many opportunities
to rent one. Licensing,
fees and seasonal restrictions
may vary from site
to site. For detailed
information on a particular
site, please contact
that site directly.
 |
photo
courtesy of the
US Fish and Wildlife
Service |
What
do we mean by Boating?
RecML, the
recreation standard
that is being developed,
describes boating as:
motor boating, jet
boating, motorized
rafting, canoe trips,
sailing, kayaking,
paddle sports, scenic
floats, tubing, whitewater
rafting, drift boats,
dory trips
Practice
Good Stewardship of
our Waterways:
You
can help to take good
care of our lakes,
rivers, and other waterways
so that others may
enjoy these areas for
years to come by practicing
some of the following
actions:
Don't Litter... take along a trash bag or other receptacle for collecting your trash so that you can deposit it in the proper trash receptacle. Always use proper dumping stations.
Make sure that you operate the correct type of watercraft permitted in that area. Check with your destination ahead of time to make ensure that the boat, canoe, or other watercraft you plan to use is allowed.
Pay attention to local procedures and cautions for cleaning your watercraft after you leave the water so that you don't facilitate the spread of nuisance species such as the Zebra Mussel to the next body of water you may visit with your boat.
Don't
operate a boat or watercraft
in areas where they
are not permitted.
These areas have been
declared "off
limits" to watercraft
to protect wildlife,
vegetation, or for
your safety.
Safety
While Boating:
Wear your personal floatation device (pfd) and make sure that your passengers wear theirs, too !
If operating a houseboat, be careful of carbon monoxide build-up around the boat
Obey the posted speedlimits and wake warnings
Do not operate your watercraft on unauthorized waterways
Never consume alcohol while operating a watercraft
Bring
along extra safety
items such as water,
flashlights, maps,
and a cellphone or
radio
