Delores Wilson-Aguirre, painted by Chip Thomas
Save the Confluence in The Grand Canyon - Last month, One Meaning worked to do our part to help Save the Confluence in the Grand Canyon (where two rivers meet) from development of the Escalade Proposal. We donated $20 for every order placed on our site, to the cause. Throughout the month, we highlighted ways on social media to increase our donations. We will also be donating pieces from our collection to further aid fundraising efforts. We invite you to take a moment to learn about this very important cause.
We asked Delores Wilson-Aguirre, a member of the Navajo Nation and a leader in the fight to Save the Confluence (where two rivers meet) in the Grand Canyon, WHAT CAN WE DO to support this fight? She was ready with the answer:
"The Grand Canyon is the crown jewel of our National Park system, yet Scottsdale developers and some Navajo Nation leaders want to build a multi-million dollar resort called the “Grand Canyon Escalade” at the confluence of the Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers in Grand Canyon, including 420 acres on the rim (resort hotel, commercial/retail space, RV park and other amenities); and 3.5 acres down at river level (including an aerial tramway with gondolas to transport people from the rim down to the river, a restaurant, an 1100 ft. elevated “river walk” along the river, and an amphitheater). If approved, developers expect 3 million visitors as soon as 2018 on the East Rim of Grand Canyon, one of the last areas with no significant development."
Where two rivers meet - that's the Confluence... and it needs our protection!
Why should we be concerned? Well, if the potential visual impact of a tramway snaking its way down the canyon walls and a restaurant at the bottom of Grand Canyon isn’t enough to concern you greatly, here are a few more reasons…
• First and foremost, this is the GRAND CANYON, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. If the Navajo Nation government approves this development, the integrity of values for which Grand Canyon was created will be severely compromised and degraded.
• The Little Colorado River corridor and its confluence with the Colorado River is culturally and spiritually significant to all of the affiliated tribes who hold the Grand Canyon sacred.
• A fragile, delicately balanced ecosystem is at stake. Proposed development raises questions about water, sewage, noise, impacts to endangered species, dark skies and wilderness values, among a host of other issues.
• The National Park Service (NPS) and the Navajo Nation disagree on the boundary issue. The NPS contends that the boundary is located one-quarter mile east from the historic high water line on the Colorado River’s eastern bank. The Department of the Interior’s Solicitor’s Opinion upholds this interpretation as does the BLM which critically reviewed the opinion during the construction of the new Marble Canyon bridge, and again found it valid. The developer contends that the boundary is where the vegetation ends at the water line.
What can YOU do? This is a Grand Canyon protection issue we should all be concerned about and one that NEEDS YOUR VOICE!
• Go to www.savetheconfluence.com to read their blogs, sign their petition, donate, and sign up to get email notifications directly from the Confluence families who are fighting hard to stop this development. You can also find Save the Confluence on Facebook.
• Click on the blog “Grand Canyon Under Siege, But You Can Help” on the Grand Canyon Trust’s home page, www.grandcanyontrust.org to access their online petition, sign up for action alerts, and join the fine organization that assists with the “on the ground” work to oppose this development.
• Join Grand Canyon River Guides (www.gcrg.org) and get informed through the best river publication around, the Boatman’s Quarterly Review, and like us on Facebook for updates.
• Support the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Protection Campaign. You can find them on Facebook.
• Contact Representative Ann Kirkpatrick at: (928) 213-9977 or email her if you live in this district by going to: https://kirkpatrick.house.gov/contact/email-me
• Contact Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior at: (202) 208-3100 or feedback@ios.doi.gov
Please do one or ALL of the steps above and help protect this global treasure. One Meaning certainly will -- and we ask you to join us! Ahe'hee' (Thank you in Navajo).