Native Americans, environmentalists question proposed Lake Powell marina

MOAB—A coalition of eight Native American and environmental organizations recently called on the National Park Service (NPS) to suspend contract and other work on development of the proposed Antelope Point Marina near Page, Arizona. In a letter to the NPS, the groups asked that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared before approving construction contracts for the project at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell reservoir).

The Glen Canyon Action Network (GCAN) of Moab, Utah, and the Diné Medicine Men’s Association of Window Rock, Arizona, are leading the effort, with support from environmental groups Diné CARE, Bluewater Network/Earth Island Institute, Colorado Plateau River Guides, Flagstaff Activist Network, Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association, Utah Environmental Congress, and Wild Wilderness.

The “Development Concept Plan & Environmental Assessment” for Antelope Point was completed in 1986, but did not acknowledge the project’s significant impact on the environment. The inadequate and now-outdated plan does not satisfy legal requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

“Federal law requires that all environmental impacts be evaluated in a timely manner, and a full range of alternatives be considered,” said David Orr, Director of Field Programs for GCAN. “The National Park Service has not done its job.”

According to published plans, up to 225 hotel rooms and 300 boat slips are to be constructed at Antelope Point, as are a gas station and fueling docks, 150-space RV campground, sewage plant, up to 100 units of commercial housing, food service, and other commercial operations. The NPS recently issued a prospectus to five developers seeking to build and operate the marina, which the NPS and the Navajo Nation would jointly oversee.

In a separate letter to Navajo Nation President Kelsey Begaye, the Diné Medicine Men’s Association questioned the tribe’s plan to legalize the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at the proposed marina, despite the Navajo Nation’s longstanding prohibition on alcohol. There is also concern that archeological and ceremonial sites would be harmed by construction and recreational activities.

“We are working to save our sacred sites and protect our cultural heritage,” said Mr. Thomas Morris, Jr., of Window Rock, President of the Diné Medicine Men’s Association. “The Navajo Nation should be supporting traditional ways and setting good examples for children, but here they want to sell liquor and promote jetskis.”

The medicine men and other indigenous leaders also asked for consideration of economically viable alternatives to building a new marina. The groups are proposing that the NPS study, in the EIS, allowing the Navajo Nation to take over the concession contract for the existing Wahweap Marina, just five miles away from Antelope Point and located in a less environmentally sensitive area.

“Building more tourist resorts won’t really help people build a sustainable economic future for themselves,” said Ms. Anna Frazier, Executive Director of Diné CARE, a Diné (Navajo) environmental group. “We need to focus on providing basic necessities, like developing safe drinking water supplies and renewable energy sources for our rural communities, and educating our people on ways to conserve energy and water.”

The groups also expressed concern about the water pollution that the Antelope Point Marina project would generate, especially from increased numbers of personal watercraft (PWCs) on Lake Powell reservoir. The inefficient two-cycle PWC engines emit large amounts of unburned oil and gasoline into waterbodies through their exhaust systems, potentially endangering drinking water quality for more than 20 million Colorado River water users downstream. Environmentalists are asking NPS to institute a comprehensive water pollution monitoring program as part of the planning process for the new EIS.

The five corporations bidding to develop the Antelope Point project are: ARAMARK (current monopoly concessioner at Lake Powell reservoir), Delaware North (concessioner at Yosemite and Grand Canyon), Forever Resorts (concessioner at Lake Mead), KOA Kampgrounds, and Swift Trucking Company dba Antelope GMT.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read