Vol. 2, No. 4, May 2002 (Drainit Times No. 2)
LIVING RIVERS was recently joined by 17 other organizations in demanding suspension of the planning process for the proposed Antelope Point Marina project on Lake Powell reservoir. In an eleven-page letter sent April 14 to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area officials, the coalition expressed concern regarding violations of environmental laws, utilization of outdated planning guidelines, a bias toward servicing motorized flatwater recreation, and failure to consult with Navajo interests. The coalition demanded a revision of the Recreation Area's General Management Plan prior to any further work on the proposed marina.
At issue is a proposal to construct a 410-slip marina, 225-room hotel complex, 150-site campground, fuel dock, convenience store, restaurants and related infrastructure over a 950-acre site; 710 of which are owned by the Navajo Nation, with the remaining 240 administered by the Park Service. Of major concern is that the project evolved from a planning document which is 23 years-old and has little relevance to the reservoir's current operation.
The Diné Bidziil Coalition, representing 17 grassroots Navajo groups, and the Diné Medicinemens Association are opposed to the project, as it would impact ceremonial and sacred sites, and promote inappropriate development on the Navajo Reservation. "Our people will derive virtually no benefits from this project, only a few low-wage jobs and some lease payments. The bulk of the money flows off the reservation to a non-Indian company in Scottsdale Arizona," says Hazel James, with the Diné Bidziil Coalition. "Most families on the reservation live near or below the poverty line; we don't have houseboats and jet skis to take on Lake Powell reservoir."
"Their documents claim that they consulted with us about sacred site impacts, but no consultation ever occurred," said Thomas Morris Jr., president of the Diné Medicinemens Association. Federal regulations require the National Park Service to accommodate access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites by Indian religious practitioners, and to avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of such sites.
Despite this proposal being the most substantial development initiative at Lake Powell reservoir in decades, the Park Service has done only cursory environmental analysis. The likely impact on water, air, noise, and public health, not to mention the cumulative development impacts on the surrounding community, compel the Park Service to undertake an Environmental Impact Statement. More importantly, the Park Service must reassess the perceived need for this new resort marina in light of declining visitation, which is down 11 percent since 2000 and 35 percent since 1992.
LIVING RIVERS is now mobilizing legal assistance to further support Navajo activists in their efforts to stop development at Antelope Point.
