Vol. 2, No 4, May 2002 (Drainit Times No. 2)
Moving the Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) to move sediment is the focus of LIVING RIVERS' upcoming "Sediment-al Journey." June 17, 2002 is the 100th anniversary of BuRecís founding, marking a century of river devastation. The victimization of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is a case study of the Bureau's exploits.
Caught between BuRec's two largest concrete dams, Hoover and Glen Canyon, the Grand Canyon is slowly becoming sterile. Glen Canyon Dam disrupts the food chain because it traps the nutrient-laden sediment. The dam also causes drastic water temperature changes, and tames the formerly life-giving seasonal flood flows. Five of eight Grand Canyon native fish species are either gone or on the verge of collapse, beaches are disappearing, and damaging exotics are choking out native vegetation. Public officials and others who have profited at the expense of the river will celebrate BuRec's anniversary at Hoover Dam. LIVING RIVERS and the Grand Canyon Restoration Coalition will be there too, but with a different message. The Sediment-al Journey, which will conclude its five-day road trip at Hoover Dam on June 17, will draw public attention to the extensive environmental damage that is BuRecís 600-dam legacy.
Our journey will begin with an evening rally and banquet on the banks of the Colorado near Canyonlands National Park. People will be bringing sediment from throughout the basin to load into a dump truck for transport to the Grand Canyon. Participants will then head to Antelope Point, on the edge of Lake Powell, to collect more sediment and to support Navajo activists in their opposition to a proposed marina (see back page). Then itís off to Glen Canyon Dam and the first ceremonial sediment dump below the dam. We'll then spend two nights along the river at Lee's Ferry, passing out sediment to those embarking on their Grand Canyon river trips, as well as taking a day-long trip ourselves from Glen Canyon Dam back to Leeís Ferry.
On the eve of arriving at Hoover Dam we will gather at Grand Canyon National Park to rally and inform visitors of the Park's dying ecosystem at the hands of BuRec. Riverside music, cookouts and camping will round out the festivities as we promote the need for BuRec to transform its mission from one of devastation to restoration. Please join us.
Sediment-al Journey
June 13-17, 2002
Moab, UT
June 13, 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Sediment Loading and Kick-off Rally
Gold Bar Campground
Lake Powell Reservoir, AZ
June 14, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Sacred Sediment/Sacred Rivers
Antelope Point
Marble Canyon, AZ
June 15, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Boating for the Canyon
Boating for Wilderness
Leeís Ferry Campground
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
June 16, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Save Grand Canyon from Glen Canyon Dam
South Rim Concession Area
Hoover Dam, AZ/NV
June 17, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Reclaim the Bureau
100 Years is Enough
Arizona-side parking lot
