Problem Statement
Due to the increase of motor boating in public freshwater lakes of Indiana, environmental degradation has risen in the area. There seems to be no substantive laws and regulations to curb the rise of engine propelled boats. The following goals (targets) are important in order to fix the apparent problem.
- Indiana ought to reduce the emissions of the motor boats and other recreational equipments that endanger aquatic life of natural rivers and lakes.
- Improvement of partnership relations between private and public organizations to enhance environmental custodianship is a desirable condition.
- Rehabilitation of various freshwater lakes in order to conserve the marine ecology is important for the area.
To achieve the goal of reducing emissions that endanger the aquatic life of freshwater lakes and rivers in Indiana, various pathways are crucial. They include:
- Agitating for enactment of laws that encourage ecotourism and limit the amount of harmful emissions by high-speed motor boats and other equipments of recreation is a major pathway.
- Identifying potential eco-zones in shallow lakes is a pathway that will deter boats from visiting the areas.
- Active participation by all stakeholders and community of Indiana should serve as a pathway that will enhance responsiveness of people towards the endangered rivers and shallow lakes.
Background of the Issue
According to Hill, technology has played a significant role of supporting tourism and recreation (33). The demand for motor boats has risen across the United States and the entire world. In Indiana, the number of registered and unregistered high-speed boats has tripled in the last three decades. In 2010, Indiana had a high number of registered motor boats that surpassed 280,000 (Seba 71).
This was a sharp increase of 29% from 2000 (Baromey 31). Consequently, high-speed motor boats have led to a form of recreation that is harmful to the environment. While it is imperative to underscore the role of technology in social and economic development, it is agreeable that the effects of motor boating in shallow lakes of Indiana are apparent and detrimental.
At the outset, Hill argues that high-speed boats are detrimental to aquatic environments and near-shore ecologies (45). The rationale is that over 60% of motor boats that operated in 2011 emitted harmful compounds and greenhouse gases owing to their consumption of fossil fuels to propel their engines (Seba 3).
High-speed motor boating leads to incidences of noise pollution, fossil fuel emissions and degradation of shorelines (Honey 39). This does not only affect the life of animals living in freshwater lakes and rivers but also the people utilizing the recreational facilities.
Hill points out that the question of whether or not motor boating is detrimental to aquatic life requires various perspectives and point of views (46). It is important to note that motor boating has not only increased the utilization of recreational facilities but is a major source of revenues for public institutions. In fact, US authorities recognize the role of motor boating in the economy and tourism (Zieman 134).
Nonetheless, new laws have emerged to enhance environmental custodianship in many parts of the country. This is not the case in Indiana. Current laws in Indiana that aim at regulating high-speed boating have not achieved their goals (Honey 39). In particular, Indiana’s laws do not classify specific regions within freshwater lakes according to their vulnerability and susceptibility to environmental degradation (Rodgers and Smith 140).
It is therefore difficult for motor boaters to comprehend the actual impacts of boating on shallow lakes within the region. To that end, it is essential for the regulatory authorities to enact laws that promote ecotourism.
Due to the importance of technology in enhancing reactionary activities, ecotourism has emerged as a major pathway through which Indiana can reduce the amount of fossil fuel emissions by the motor boats (Baromey 61). In fact, the concept of ecotourism advocates for a specific form of leisure that takes into account the environmental concerns raised by societies (Rodgers and Smith 143).
It is sensitive to the environment and it advances the notion that environment is a central aspect of tourism. For instance, ecotourism does not advocate for high-speed boating in shallow lakes (Zieman 135). To that end, motor boating is only possible in deep lakes and rivers in order to avoid the apparent and negative effects of high-speed boating.
It is important to mention that many sectors of tourism have embraced the concept of ecotourism in order to conserve and preserve the natural environment (Seba 72). This has enabled various public institutions to remain profitable without endangering the environment.
In addition, the concept of ecotourism has demystified the notion that regulation of motor boating activities in shallow lakes will eventually reduce revenues for the stakeholders. According to ecotourism statistics, over 79% of countries and institutions that have adopted ecotourism practices have reported increments in their profit margins over time (Seba 73).
Work through an Issue or Work around an Issue?
Working through an issue involves unraveling causative factors and addressing them continuously (Buckley 63). It also involves the ability to understand the issue from firsthand experience. Active participation by all stakeholders is a central aspect of working through an issue. Every member of the society plays an important role of ensuring that the issue is addressed amicably.
While proponents of the process say that it lead to the achievement of anticipated outcomes, opponents point out that working around an issue is the best way to address a situation. In fact, they argue that working through an issue is time consuming and may require more resources than other conventional ways of resolving problems (Seba 79). Working around a problem is a subjective way of identifying and resolving problems.
The problem solver identifies the issue and recommends ways to resolve it. As such, working around the problem does not always yield results that are desirable by the entire society.
It is important to mention that I prefer working through a problem as opposed to working around an issue. The rationale is that it involves all stakeholders and ensures that the problem is monitored overtime (Seba 85). This does not only enhance problem solution but also ensures that the problem does not occur in the future.
In addition, working through a problem is an objective way of resolving problems acceptably (Buckley 106). It has the goodwill of all stakeholders and involves almost all interested parties. For instance, all stakeholders will play a role in an effort to reduce emission of motor boats in Indiana.
Political, Economic, Societal, and Environmental Consequences of the Pathways
Various pathways will have political, economic, societal and economic consequences. At the outset, agitating for enactment of laws and regulations to guide motor boating in Indiana may have various consequences. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, major motor boat manufacturers may lobby various political actors to impede the enactment of new laws.
Nonetheless, adoption of eco-friendly laws will guarantee the society of sustainable recreational facilities. This in turn will spur economic activities associated with tourism in the entire city of Indiana (Buckley 101). Over and above, passage of new laws that aim at protecting and preserving natural lakes and rivers will have a positive impact on the environment.
The second pathway involves mapping and identifying eco-zones within the rivers and shallow lakes of Indiana. This will result to a boost in environmental conservation and enhance economic sustainability of Indiana’s tourism sector. Undoubtedly, mapping and identifying eco-zones may lead to overcrowding in some areas where motor boating will persist.
This may predispose the society to the risk of high concentration of pollutants in some specific areas. Finally, the third pathway entails rehabilitating the endangered freshwater lakes. This is possible by enhancing active participation and partnership of all stakeholders. Politically, the pathway will provide a platform where all stakeholders will discuss and contribute towards addressing the issue of motor boating.
It will also encourage the growth of positive partnership between political and social institutions. Moreover, the society will play a significant role in identifying the appropriate solution. Consequently, public awareness on the problem of motor boating will increase since all societal members are active participants in the entire process (Buckley 101).
Finally, involvement of major partners and stakeholders will contribute towards sustainable recreational practices. This will not only benefit the community but also ensure that Indiana’s freshwater lakes and rivers begin to support marine ecology once again.
Works Cited
Baromey, Neth. Ecotourism as a Tool for Sustainable Rural Community Development, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2008. Print.
Buckley, Ralf. Environmental Impacts of Ecotourism, New York: McGraw Hill, 2004. Print.
Hill, Daniel. “Physical Impacts of Boating on Lakes.” Journal of Sustainable Development, 3.5 (2004): 238-250. Print.
Honey, Martha. Ecotourism and Sustainable Development, London: Blackwell Press, 2008. Print.
Rodgers, Jermain and Smith, Heath. “Buffer Zone Distances to Protect Foraging and Loafing Waterbirds from Human Disturbance in Florida. Wildlife and Social Bulletin, 25.1 (2007):139-145. Print.
Seba, Jaime. Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism: New Perspectives and Studies, New York: Sage Publishers, 2011. Print.
Zieman, John. “The Ecological Effects of Physical Damage from Motor Boats on Turtle Grass Beds In Southern Florida.” Aquatic Bulletin, 2.2 (1996):127-139.Print.