Sierra Club volunteers spoke up for the Colorado River!

The public comment period at the last meeting of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) was filled by Sierra Club members who love the river.  One after another, they approached the roomful of water managers, power industry representatives, federal and tribal officials, conservationists, and recreation groups, to remind them of their responsibility under the Grand Canyon Protection Act (1992):

“operate Glen Canyon Dam in accordance with the additional criteria and operating plans specified in section 1804 and exercise other authorities under existing law in such a manner as to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the values for which Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were established”

They spoke of the health of the river, of land stewardship, and also of the need to work transparently and create an accessible record for the public.  Many members of the AMWG, including the assistant to the Secretary of the Interior, voiced appreciation at hearing the public’s voices.  Let’s hope they listen to us.