Drain Lake Powell? Yes you read that right. While the Sierra Club has often attempted to force some patently absurd ideas on the American public via our government, this is by far the most incredible. In November of 96, the Board of Directors of the (currently) 600,000 member Sierra Club, unanimously called for the draining of Lake Powell.Why? According to Sierra Club President, 24 yr. old Adam Werbach, the Glen Canyon dam is a continuing threat to the ecosystem of the Grand Canyon downstream, and it threatens the extinction of several endangered fish that aren't accustomed to the cold water coming from the lake.

Unfortunately for Werbach and the Sierra Club, there are several problems with his assertions. Glen Canyon Dam was built in the 1950's. The supposedly "endangered" fish have lived, and reproduced in the Colorado river every since. The elimination of Lake Powell would have a devastating impact on over 275 bird species that have since made the Lake Powell area their home. In fact, Lake Powell has become home to several other endangered species, including the Peregrine Falcon (currently, Lake Powell is home to the largest population of the endangered bird in the continental U.S.), and our National Symbol, the Bald Eagle.

And what of the other animals? The plants? The loss of Lake Powell would mean the death of an uncountable number of plants. As a result, hundreds of thousands of animals would face food shortages and ultimately die. This is as "Anti" environmental as it gets. It is ironic in the extreme that the Sierra Club is fighting vehemently for the destruction of an entire local ecosystem.

"Clearly, there are endangered species that would become more endangered if the lake were drained," said Denis Galvin, deputy director of the National Park Service (a government orginization who more often than not, sides with the Sierra Club in land issues)

"What's at stake", Werbach told Congress yesterday, "is the restoration of one of the most special places on Earth -- Glen Canyon -- for our families and our future." Such noble words. Such an emotional plea. Such utter nonsense. What Werbach failed to point out is ...

The true cost of draining Lake Powell

• Draining the lake would jeopardize water supplies in six Southwestern states -- most notably Arizona and Utah
• Ranches and farms would go bankrupt, as the loss of available water would drive them out of business
• A sharp increase in the price of consumer goods and foodstuffs. Arizona alone has developed a thriving agriculture industry, producing millions of tons of edible crops anually, as well as cotton crops, resulting from a 12 month growing season.
• Massive economic upheaval with far reaching implications As many desert towns and cities would be unable to deal with the reduced water supply, some people would be forced to move away (yet another goal of the Sierra Club), more businesses would go under, and many financial institutions would in turn, be unable to bear the loss.
• People would loose employment, homes, health coverage and other benefits. Some people, due to financial status, would be unable to move out of the area or find further employment, escalating the burden to the welfare system.
• Raise water costs as far away as Los Angeles, resulting in even greater economic, and social impact.
• Sediment at the bottom of the lake, some of which is toxic, has the "potential" to contribute to air pollution, and "could" lead to other health concerns.
• The canyon itself would be left with a ring of salt (water marks), that would be visible for hundreds of years, thus putting lie to any aesthetic rationale.

Larry Tarp is the chairman of the Friends of Lake Powell, in Page AZ. FLP recognizes the environmental and economic devastation.the Sierra Club proposal would bring. According to Tarp, his group, and other area residents "will oppose until their deaths" any attempts to destroy the lake.

While Congress did not use such strong language, they non the less made it clear that Lake Powell would remain intact. In a universally accepted, bipartisan move, Congress denounced the Sierra Club plan, referring to it as "silly" and "monumentally dumb". One Congressman after another vowed to continue opposing the Sierra Club plan, saying "it would get nowhere if we have anything to say". In fact, many Congressman were utterly amazed at the Sierra Club for even considering such a plan.

"Any discussion of this issue brings disbelief,"said Rep. James Hansen, R-Utah, The man who called yesterday's hearing.. Hansen called the Sierra Club proposal an attempt "to turn back the clock." One must remember however, that "turning back the clock" is a popular belief amongst the environmental set. Dave Foreman, Sierra Club Board member, uses it as a predominant theme in his plans for "Rewilding Humanity", a plan that values the life of an insect or tree more than one of a human being.

Officials of the Clinton administration would not even speculate at the total cost of such an undertaking. Further, they have no intention of funding the environmental impact review. Eluid Martinez, head of the Interior Department's Bureau of Reclamation, (a department which has often backed the Sierra Club in the past), called the proposal "unrealistic", and stated "It would be expensive" Those who do estimate the cost of the plan, put the figure well into the hundreds of millions of dollars, with some estimates going over 1 billion.

Where would the funding for such an undertaking come from? The Sierra Club fully expects the government to pay for all costs involved, and that means your tax dollars. We are fortunate that this time, Congress acted apropriately in the face of utter stupidity, but don't get comfortable just yet. Plans are currently underway to close Lake Tahoe to motorized traffic, and much of the land surrounding Tahoe as well. President Clinton and Vice President Gore set the wheels in motion to make these closures a reality durring a highly telivised trip to that area.

If that alone isn't enough to set you in motion, perhaps this is.

The lands surrounding Lake Tahoe are the home of the Rubicon Trail.