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 Since 9/11, the seaplane community has come under unprecedented attack from every quarter. Federal, state, and local authorities have banned seaplanes from an ever-increasing number of waters, while boaters, jet ski operators, and fishermen are free to continue to pursue their passions without obstruction. As we have seen all too often, seaplane enthusiasts have been singled out among all other recreational users of our public waterways and unfairly prohibited from sharing these national resources.
 In April, 2006, the Bureau of Reclamation, with the simple stroke of the pen in the Federal Register, quietly closed over 400 lakes to seaplane access. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers arbitrarily barred seaplanes in the Missouri Breaks from the only safe east-west water landing area for straight float (without wheels) aircraft for hundreds of miles. Public misconceptions about boater safety, national security, and environmental concerns prompt local municipalities to drive seaplanes from the lake-front back yards of their owners.
The Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA) has a long history of successfully advocating for the waterway rights of all who love seaplanes. The SPA is the only organization with a full time professional staff dedicated to ensuring the rights of water flying enthusiasts throughout North America. The SPA network of Field Directors in every region of the country, along with the passionate dedication of SPA members from throughout the world, make up a robust and influential force that has helped protect our water flying legacy since 1971. City commissions and state legislators have been persuasively swayed, state laws made seaplane-friendly, and the federal agencies have reversed nation-wide seaplane bans as a result of this diligent and persistent work. Most recently, in September 2008, the Bureau of Reclamation reversed its federal ban on seaplane access following intense and respectful direct negotiations with SPA.
 Your support of The SPA Foundation enhances the the voice of the seaplane community to bring fair and equitable access of our national waterways.
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