A Rider for Ryder: Rep. Gosar Seeks to Protect Motorized Access on Lake Havasu for Special Needs Child and Others

Press Release

This week, Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) submitted a language request to the House Appropriations Committee to prohibit funds for the Fish and Wildlife Service to carry out an arbitrary closure of recreational motorized boating at the north end of Lake Havasu that was made administratively and without public comment:

"I have received countless emails and letters from my constituents expressing outrage about the arbitrary motorized boating closure on Lake Havasu. After investigating this decision by the Fish and Wildlife Service, which included filing a FOIA request, it was discovered that this action was not based on merit," stated Congressman Gosar. "This horrendous bureaucratic decision occurred because two residents made up lies and encouraged the agency to take this action. The agency shifted course after stating numerous times that it could not take the requested action and that if it did take any action, it would first solicit public comments. However, no public comment period ever occurred. Lake Havasu residents and businesses have been left to suffer the consequences as word has gotten out that motorized boating access is being restricted and popular channels have been closed."

The Congressman's office received so many comments on this issue that he had several members from his staff visit the actual site in August of 2015 so they could see the area firsthand. During their visit, the staff met nine-year-old Ryder Bliss, one of the people significantly harmed by this closure. Ryder is a special needs child who learned to wake board on the part of Lake Havasu that the Service shut down. The 2014 Summer issue of Lake Havasu Living Magazine documented Ryder's story of overcoming the challenges associated with his genetic disorder through help from wake boarding.

"This is the only place on the lake that Ryder feels safe because of the high speeds at which boats travel on other parts of the lake. Because of this administrative closure, Ryder no longer has a safe place to wake board. Instead, the Fish and Wildlife Service expects him to wake board on the open lake where boats regularly travel as high 70 miles per hour. By closing this area, the Service has effectively closed the lake to a large population of tourists and locals," said Gosar.

This same sentiment has been echoed by numerous residents who have used this part of the lake to teach new skiers, children and individuals with physical or mental disabilities who do not feel comfortable learning in the open water.

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