A long-held dream of environmental activists gained new legitimacy in Sunday’s New York Times.
In a column reprinted from ProPublica, Abraham Lustgarten calls for the Glen Canyon Dam to be decommissioned. Noting that Lake Powell and downstream Lake Mead are both half-full because of drought and climate change, Lustgarten says Powell’s water should be sent down the river to Mead to reduce losses from evaporation and leakage. The dam would remain in place but Glen Canyon, whose beauty was reputed to rival the Grand Canyon’s, would be restored. Lustgarten notes, however, that there are formidable obstacles and congressional approval would likely be needed.
