| OCR Text |
Show TION/WORLD Sund: __ The Salt Lake Tribun ‘Being Foughtto Drain Reservoir SALT LAKE TRIBUNE CATARACT CANYON — Sierra Club President Adam Werbach sat on a rock overlooking the Colorado River as the sun set on anotherdayof river running. He had just paddled a small red boat through the chocolate-colored rapids of Cataract Canyon, finishing the third of four days on a river trip designed to teach him more about why Lake Poweil should be drained. “This is beautiful,” he said quietly, looking down on the buff, red and orange-colored canyon. “I want to spend more time learning what to protect. I spend more time on airplanesthanI do in canyons.” Werbachis a quick study. He entered environmentalactivism at age 8. He gathered signatures to help unseat James Watt, who was then-President Reagan’s Secretary of Officers of the 600,000-member environmental grouprecently completed a study trip through = Cataract Canyon andsaid they ad- m vocate draining the lake. “The damis a horrible mistake of humanity,” said Adam Wer- bach, the Sierra Club’s current president. ‘The dam is an arrogant symbolof technology and of man assuming he can manage water better than nature's own program.” Barry Goldwater, the former Arizona senator and Republican presidential candidate, said on a On his trip to Utah, Werbach and many membersofthe Sierra Club board ofdirectors who elected him learned more about the operation of the Glen Canyon Dam and whatCataract Canyon waslike before Lake Powell began tofill in 1963. He listened intently as veteran Moab riv- er guide John Williamsdeseribed beautiful campsites and raging rapids that had been engulfed by Lake Powell. “It’s like watching a friend die a slow death of cancer,” Williamssaid. Adam Werbachis “learning what to protect” on a ColoradoRivertrip. 40 years ago, he nowcalls that a seriously the campaign to drain the 186-mile long reservoir. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch called the idea “looney.” “We can’t let them do that because the next thing they'll sug- his career studying the effects of Glen Canyon Dam on Grand Canyon. president, had his chance to stop the dam in 1956 andfailed. “If you want to restore the Inaninterviewin the July issue Grand Canyon ecosystem, removing the damis the only long-term of National Geographic magaBruce Babbitt said Lake Powellis essen- tial to the economiesof the upper basin states (Colorado. Wyoming, tie.” Foolish idea? Ted Stewart, executive directorof the Utah De- dent of the Glen CanyonInstitute, Wegner, now a private environmental consultant and vice presiproposesa privately funded envi- partment of Natural Resources, ronmental assessment be conducted on draining Lake Powell. “Whenthis dam was authorized by Congress in 1956, the public wasnotinvolvedin the decision,” he said. “Water users, electrical said draining Lake Powell could force Utah’s governorto turn off water to Salt Lake City during periods of drought. He said during a dry period, the upper-basin states would be required to deliver 7.5 million acre feet of water to the lowerbasin states. “We haven't paid muchatten- “It will ultimately take water away from Utah, inciuding the WEST. DIVERSION users and Western congressmen madethe decision. There was no National Environmental Policy Hof concrele. =": | A RESERVOIR: LENGTH186 miles and crgepir 1922 mandates that upper-basin acre feet of water at Lee’s Ferry —thepoint on the Colorado River that separates the upper and lower basin — eachyear. Thatis possible during years of normal precipitation. Then there are dry years. tion to it [the drain campaign]be- ‘There was nocritique of environmental impacts,” he said. Proponents for draining the reservoir such as the Glen Canyon Institute offer the following arguments: Lake Powell is a temporary reservoir that eventually will fill with sediment. Some say the lake’s life span is 250 years. BOR claimsit won't fill for 700 years. @ Evaporation causes losses of nearly 700,000 acre feet of water each year. Some 18 million acre feet of water has seeped into its ra Club chapter doubts the wis- domof the national organization. “We were not consulted,”said Utah chapter leader Ann Wechshler. ‘We don’t support the draining. It was never on our agenda,” She said the Utah chapter has “an obligation to keep the memory of Glen Canyonalive and never to allow that kind of boondoggle side banks since the dam was built. That is enough to supply to happen again. But Glen Canyon is gone. Maybein the future we Salt Lake City’s needs for five years ad Los Angeles for two. WThelack ofsilt in the Grand can talk about dismantling dams on the Colorado. Right now, there Canyon below the dam hasresult- is not the local support for doing edin the erosion of beachesdueto that.” Others remain convinced that a lack of sediment, The 47-degree draining the lake is the only way to salvage the ecosystem at the colder thanlife in the canyon can water coming out of the damis tolerate. That threatens native bottom of the Grand Canyon. Dave Wegner, former head of research for the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), has spent muchof fish and frog populations. @ The Sea of Cortez estuary at the end of the Colorado River, supports 10,000 species, The area befollowed bya yearof debate on the sub- ject. If the club succeeded, hesaid it would take 10 years for the lake to drain and an. other 25 years for Glen Canyon to be cleaned up and restored to its former beau: ty “It would be the greatest reclamation projectin the history of the Bureau of Rec- lamation,” said Werbach. “Good business is conducive to a good environment. We can prove that, by draining Lake Powell, there will be a better economy in the West.” Richard Ingebretsen, president of the Glen Canyon Institute, which sponsoredthe river trip, said Werbach was easy to work with, ‘He is driven and is relentless in his goals,” said Ingebretsen, “He hasa single- ness of purpose and vision of the future just like David Brower.” riverdiverted of sediment, creating an environment much different from today’s. That is one reason why the Sierra Clubis calling for the draining of Lake Powell, the body of water behind the dam. Opponents of the plan say the dam is a benefit for water storage, electrical powerand recreation. June 17, 1960- First bucket Of “eich P 13, 1963ie Lain Lake Powell serves as an insurance policy when there isn't enough waterin the Coloradosys- tem to meet the West’s water needs. Should Lake Powell disappear, many laws governing the river would need to be changed. Act, no Endangered Species Act. cause it is such a foolish idea,” said Stewart. ‘Our counterparts in Southern California would be outraged if they felt this was a real threat.” Even the leader of Utah’sSier- | Cofferdamin place, § million cubic yards / 10 million tons states must deliver 7.5 million native and endangeredfish.” He said the club wouldlike to spend the next four years educating the public on the advantagesof drainingthe lake, That would wes Oct, 15, 1956Ceremonialblast F 11, 1959- $272 million SIZE: ervoir focus on economic issues. Canyon. We will lose habitats for fact that we will lose most of the sediment resources of the Grand Utah and New Mexico). Hecalled draining the reservoir “unrealis- he and the club have regretted since. authorized in 1956. It has changed the ecology of the Grand Canyon due to releases of cold, clear water into the Colorado River. Before the dam, the river ran warm and full Dam authorized Oct,1, 1956+ Project begins 1 } (including power plants, etc.) Wasatch Front,” said Stewart. The reason? The Colorado River Compactof Dam in order to keep two damsout of Dino- saur National Monument. It was a decision (4 DATES: Aoril 11 » 1956 - q DAM CONSTRUCTION COST - is dying because there is not enough water to supportit. Opponents of draining the res- solution,” he said. “If we keep Lake Powell, we must accept the oppose the building of the Glen Canyon Facts About Glen Canyon Dam: =... (a Costs: || TOTAL COST - Se Brower, the former Sierra Club then president of the club, agreed not to $145 million Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch gestis that we refill Lake Bonneville,” he said, adding David Sierra Club lost in 1956. David Brower, andto protect public lands from destructive "The problem with the environmental movement is it is irresponsible. It doesn’t worry about jobs, people or the quality oflife, except for scenic vistas.” Fewpolitical leaders are taking Werbach viewsthe draining of Lake Powell as a quest to save a piece of land the to 30,000 members. The group fought to pass the California Desert Protection Act Photo ‘Courtesy Richard Ingebretsen mistake. | ! movement. Asa high school student, Werbach founded the Sierra Student Coalition which grew Thoughhe votedfor the project Interior Secretary Werbach, she said, wants to find common ground with groups such as thereligious community and hunters and anglers not usually associated with the environmental the Interior. recent television program that Glen Canyon should be restored to its previous splendor. a mining practices. In May 1996, at age 23, he became the yor president of the 600,000-member Sierra Club in its 104-year-old history. Sierra Club press assistant Holly Minch said the organization has worked to reach for diversity in recent years. WHARTON THE & Continued From A-1 zine, Al3 = Club Leader Seeks Consensus to Drain Lake f Uphill Battle ' y, August 3, 1997 Jess due to sedimentation SURFACE AREA - Power of Water: Electricity alsois an issue. Glen Canyon Dam generates inexpensive electrical power by running water through generators at Glen Canyon Dam. According to Barry Wirth of BOR, the dam's power plantpro- 252 square miles; 161,000 acres, 1,960 miles of shoreline Rhonda Hailes Maylett /T duced 5.5 billion kilowatt hours during water year 1996, which was 75 percent of the generating capacity of the entire Colorado River Storage Project. And the plant is not runningat full capacity due to environmental constraints designed to protect the Grand Canyon ecosystem. “Sierra Club membersare supposed to pe environmentalists,” tion has dropped from a high of 3.5 million s in the early 1990s to 2.5 million in 1995, the huge reservoir with its 1,960 miles of shoreline is popular with boaters and anglers According to Tracie Cayford of the Utah Travel Council, Lake Powell generates $455 million in tourist dollars each year, about said Hatch. “It would take one huge coal plant to replace that half of which ends up in Utah business leaders to oppose the draining of Lake Powell. “The ParkService should be protecting the area from the Sierra Club.” The debate about the reser- voir’s future ultimately involves conflicting values. One group argues humans have done the right thing by harnessing the river's resources. That has allowed Southern California and Sult Lake Tribune convinced that when humans alter natural systems, future gener- ations suffer. “There are profoundecological reasons to drain the reservoir, said Dave Foreman, a self-de scribed Goldwater Republican and NewMexico redneck. “There are also spiritual reasons, I point to Genesis whereit says that God created all things, looked down By comparison, 57,043 people enjoyed a Colorado River whitewater rafting trip in 1996. “The job of the National Park cities such as Salt Lake City, Denver, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Phoenix to prosper. “The problem with the environ- and said they were good. Who are we to argue with the big guy? Ingebretsen talks about Lake The sale of electrical power Service [which manages the Glen from Glen Canyon Dam helps to repay the cost of the Colorado River Storage Project. Canyon National Recreation Area] is to preserve and protect,” ‘is it is irresponsible. It doesn't worry about jobs, people or the quality of life, except for scenic at what Godhas created," hesaid. “ThenI turn around and see what Recreation on Lake Powell also Powell Yacht Club, whichis orga: nizing boaters and Page, Ariz., vistas.” But someenvironmentalists are kind of generation. Yet the Sierra Club also complains about coal mining. So, where do you get the power?” said Verna Stoddard of the Lake is a huge business, Though visita- mental movement,” said Hatch, Powell with reverence, “T look upriver and am amazed manhas destroyed. That is why| wantte drain Lake Powell. At the heart, this is a religious issue. Homeowners with money worries may qualify for low-interest loans CANYON cuore & Aik CONDITIONING CO. LOANS-—Lveal lender loosens its require: ments for homeowners who need money OW. Have you heen turned down tora loan? De youneed mare than$10,000 for ary Are youpaying more than 10% interest ‘other leans on credit cards? Wyoware « to any of these questions, they ea the phone and without! obligat High credit wid debt? Less-than perfect credit? Sell-emphayed Late house payments Finuocial problgrns” Medical billy? IRS tieny ure ft dowsw't matte wher with sufficient equity you will quality fora Youcanfi ‘aut aver the phone —and free harge—if you qualify Stone Castle Horne ns is licensed hy the LighDept of Com merce. Open 7 days. 1-800-479-488H, ext, 140 pyEnevel University of Utah in a genetic Tccholisin needed to participate member has been study. If you or a family diagnosed with alcoholism, please call us. ‘The research study is divided into two parts~a brief interview and a blood sample. Subjects will be paid $20.00for the interview and blood sample. Participation in this study is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time, Questions concerning the research project should be directed to: Laura De Mattia 581-3129 (Salt Lake Area) 1-800-444-8638 ext, 13129 UNIVERSITY OF UTAIHEALTH SCIENCES CENTER Hittt cco from (GRABER) GENETIC STUDY OF ALCOHOLISM Large families with several members suffering Re yeurie aeteliary Pre eel ’ Portrait Identification Card S tested Reel Pte P CRYSTAL LEAT and oteine Peewers Pstal soft, double cell shades \ VOW CO te AN Now ih WAL*MART The Value Leader in Single Cell Shades As low as $3325 nopr lady, et one fm tym plone Adored pram har lo ogame ob ih me chin pcos Al ges wear hhweer 1H etd ot Nore Portrait Studio Hurry, Last Chancel One Week Only! $4.95 Plus FREE ID! OPEN 5 DAYS ONLY! THUR. THRU MOR., AUO. 7-11 Dolly: 10 AM -7_PM Sun, 10 Adi (or store opening, H hater) W corer 7 Wid sere Price example based on a 24"x36" Maestro shade after mfg. rebate. Similar JHE FOLLOWING PERMANENT STUDIOS ARE OPEN EVERY DAY! Dally, 10 AM «7 PM Sun. 10 AM (or store U) Closed Dolly MIRICAN FORK (5. fost) © LAYTON (W. Industral Park Dr.) # MIDVALE (5. Union Pork Ave. AY savings on other alzes and products. SC CS 7" eat Hire: Mon-Fri 05:30 0. Sat. 10.2 ” 1-800-444-6555 or visit our wed alte at S. State wow.houscotblinds.com 2432 “BBEZ hs RIVERDALE ‘OREM (5. Sandhill Rd.) non + > (W, Riverdale Rd.) _* mela _—— | |
