| OCR Text |
Show CEA Report Recreation ( Tj ECREATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL needs were listed -*• V, in the Colorado Basin Act as the fourth priority for the operations of Glen Canyon Dam. Realistically, these two priorities often require substantially different management approaches. While Powell reservoir offers many recreational opportunities unique to the region, it does so at great ecological expense. • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ( GCNRA) is the third most popular recreational attraction in Arizona, providing 250 square miles of flatwater recreation and attracting approximately 2.5 million annual visitors. Total visitor days in 1998 was 4.3 million. 21 • Two stroke engines operate on a mixture of gasoline and oil, discharging 25- 30% of this mixture unburned into the water. Approximately one million gallons of hydrocarbon pollution is disbursed into Powell reservoir each year; about 2% of this- 20,000 gallons, is raw, unburned oil. This is the equivalent of an Exxon Valdez oil spill into Powell reservoir every 10 years. 34 • Recreational opportunities offered by the GCNRA are unique in this region. • Most visitors participate in sightseeing, boating, general Powell reservoir activities and visiting the dam. ' 4 • 58% of visitors participate in off- water, off- beach activities such as hiking and exploring ruins. These activities would be available without the reservoir. 21 Some of the most popular activities offered by the reservoir are very expensive, and limited to relatively few, affluent visitors. Most visitors to Powell reservoir have household incomes in excess of $ 70,000 per year. Mean household income of 1,278 survey respondents was $ 90,400.24 Several national parks and monuments, including Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks surround Page. For most visitors, Powell reservoir is one stop on an extended vacation through the region. 21,24 Glen Canyon Dam has contributed to the growth of recreation in both GCNRA and Grand Canyon. Over 20,000 anglers visit Lees Ferry, and 33,000 visitors ride on motor boat tours from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry annually. The Colorado River through Grand Canyon supports 15,000 to 20,000 Whitewater boaters each year. 19 Restoration of the 186 miles of Colorado River through Glen Canyon will expand opportunities for rafting, which is growing in demand and therefore strictly limited elsewhere by permits. 20 Decommissioning Glen Canyon Dam will adversely affect the trout fishery below the dam which currently provides $ 1.8 million to the region. 7 j^ l^ SBSP Figure 12 Pollution caused by motorized watercraft is a growing concern as visitation to Powell reservoir increases, ( Bluewater Network). page 15 |
