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<br />164
<br />
<br />PUBLIC LAND LAW REVIEW
<br />
<br />[Vol. 15
<br />
<br />1994J
<br />
<br />GRAND CANYON PROTECTION ACT
<br />
<br />165
<br />
<br />manipulation of the natural environment. The objective now in managing
<br />Glen Canyon Dam should be to "keep the manager's hand as unobtrusive
<br />as possible."l9S Obviously, the ability to do this and still protect the Grand
<br />Canyon ecosystem will be addressed by the EIS, the long~term monitoring
<br />process, and more importantly, the policy choices made after taking into
<br />account scientific data and the values of the interested parties. As stated by
<br />Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, "We must relentlessly search for a
<br />level and a method of human activity that is compatible with the
<br />ecosystem. In most cases, if we try hard enough, wecan find that balance. It
<br />won't satisfy everybody, but it'll be vastly better than what's going on
<br />
<br />will take a back seat to the natural environment. The long~term issue of
<br />overall sustainability of the earth's resources is still far from resolved,
<br />primarily because sustainability means different things to different people.
<br />The Grand Canyon Protection Act. however. is the result of an agreement
<br />by a majority of parties on what needs to be sustained. The legislation
<br />demonstrates the perception that protection of this resource could be
<br />accomplished in a manner that does not unduly infringe on existing
<br />expectations and dependence on the Glen Canyon Darn Power System.
<br />Legislation such as the Northwest Power Act and the GCPA shows
<br />that both managing and affected parties can find common ground on at
<br />least a case by case basis. As we move into an era that ~ill have to deal with
<br />sustainability on a global scale, the lesson learned at places like the Grand
<br />Canyon will serve as a model Jor future global solutions.
<br />
<br />now."1\l9
<br />
<br />Future balance between humans and the natural environment de~
<br />pends somewhat on the principles of goal-setting, use of scientific data,
<br />public participation, and the promotion of efficiency in natural resource
<br />decision~making. Public participation may be the most important aspect,
<br />as this facet will most likely drive the choices made. Thus, a diversity of
<br />viewpoints is necessary so that decisions are not made in a vacuum.. Indeed,
<br />the demands of local and national interest groups, both conservative and
<br />liberal, require future natural resource decision~making to be a consensus~
<br />building process, one that takes into account the human and community
<br />impacts of proposed actions.
<br />Fortunately, aided by legislation and responding to the dynamics of
<br />the public process, the BOR and Western seem to bean the brink of truly
<br />reforming their traditional practices. Nothing shows this more than the
<br />press conference held by Dan Beard, Commissioner of the Bureau of
<br />Reclamation, to release the Glen Canyon Dam Draft EIS. The Commis-
<br />sioner stated:
<br />Many conflicting interests have come together and produced this
<br />plan to protect the magnificent Grand Canyon. In the old days,
<br />these documents were developed behind closed doors with water
<br />lawyers, engineers, and irrigation district representatives. Now
<br />we are throwing the doors wide open and including community
<br />leaders, Native Americans, the recreation industry, environmen-
<br />talists, and many others.'oo
<br />In conclusion, the Grand Canyon Protection Act illustrates, at least"
<br />with respect to a national treasure, that the industrialized world can and
<br />
<br />,
<br />
<br />/
<br />
<br />198. When' Do We Go From Hen'?,GRANDCANYON RIVER GUIDES, Fa1l1992,at4 (on lilewith
<br />author).
<br />199. Frances Wilkinson, The Rolling StOM Inferview with theSecrttary olthe Interior Bruce
<br />Babbitt: Is He Tough tnough fO Save the Enviro~nf? ROLUNO STONE, July 8-22, 1993, at 52.
<br />200. Recfamarioll Releases Dralt Glen Canyon Dam EIS Changes to Protect Grand CllftYon.
<br />DEP'T OF INTERIOR. NEWS RELUSE, Jan. 6, 1994, at 1.
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