April 4, 2001  - The Arizona State Legislative body approved a "Glen Canyon Dam Memorial" statement pronouncing and emphasizing the importance of Lake Powell to the state of Arizona, the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe.  Arizona's Secretary of State then forwarded the signed memorial statement to President Bush and U.S. Congressional members.

The Friends of Lake Powell provided input to this piece of legislation and testified at both House and Senate committee hearings in regards to the importance of Lake Powell.

Excerpts from the Memorial Statement:

That the Members of Congress recognize and appreciate the water, power, recreational and environmental benefits resulting from the construction of Glen Canyon Dam and the  filling of Lake Powell and the ongoing benefits to the citizens of the State of Arizona and the other Colorado River Basin  states that result from the existence of Lake Powell."

 "Whereas, the Hopi Tribe does not believe that removing Glen Canyon Dam and >attempting to restore the rivercourse is a viable or realistic option. Rather, the Hopi people encourage wise management and operation of the dam to protect their cultural and natural resources."

Memorial Day Weekend – A Tale of Two Organizations

The Friends of Lake Powell properly secured a First Amendment Free Speech permit from the National Park Service and peacefully handed out literature in the designated Free Speech area 100' feet from the Wahweap restroom facilities

That same weekend, anti-dam activists came to Page, rented a boat and launched it…actually leaving the dealer's truck and trailer parked right on the launch ramp.  After making a run up to Rainbow Bridge to protest public access to the Rainbow Bridge (huh?), they swung past the Antelope Point launch ramp to protest the proposed Navajo Nation Marina and then headed down to the dam to display Drain Lake Powell banners and buzz nearby boaters.  

When NPS personnel arrive on the scene to check their credentials, the activists claimed NPS harassment and later issued regional Press Releases claiming that "these are the kinds of chilling tactics one would expect in Beijing or Teheran".

It's worth noting that the lead activist (in reference to his Lake Powell journey) indicated that "the only practical way to reach the sacred site [Rainbow Bridge] is by boat".

Editor's Note:  This story certainly says a lot about the tactics and hypocrisy of certain environmental groups .  Permits?  We don't need no stinking permits!  Hike to Rainbow Bridge via the original historic Indian trail?  No Way!

It's ironic that these activist group leaders oppose SUVs and various Navajo Nation economic and job-creating projects (like the Antelope Point Marina, the Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, the Navajo Generating Station and any other type of natural resource development) and yet they drive to Page in a SUV, go boating on Lake Powell and complain about the lack of jobs on the Navajo Nation…the 50% unemployment rate…and the fact that 56% of Navajo families live beneath the poverty level.