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Letters to the Editor

Drowning in 400 Million Thirsty People

Like Ken Wright (April/May 2008), despite spending many happy days around Lake "Foul," I don't want to accept it. Nor do I want to accept any of the destructive alternations that have swept my beloved Southwest.

But a shocking fact - happily ignored by Big Media and eagerly embraced by Wall Street - is that just eight nations will fuel half of all growth to 2050. They are: India, Pakistan, Nigeria, THE UNITED STATES, China, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo - in that order! Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson warned that the United States population must be stabilized. Yet, our population exploded from 200 million in 1963 to 300 million in 2006, and unless immigration at roughly 3 million annually, up from historical norms of 200,000 annually, is returned quickly to much lower norms, we could gain another 100 million by 2050 despite an almost replacement-level birthrate. That's part of why some predict Lake Mead could run dry by 2021 with Lake Foul not far behind - perhaps not quite the outcome we dam haters anticipated.

- Kathleene Parker, Rio Rancho (Albuquerque), New Mexico

Make The Best of Lake Powell

Perhaps the reason you [Ken Wright] did not have a good trip on Lake Powell was that you traveled in a $50,000, 360 horse-power powerboat.

In October 2003, as a woman of age 53, I took my 14-foot kayak on an amazing four-day/three-night solo camping adventure in the canyons of Lake Powell. With boat pulled out, sleeping bag on a sliver of canyon rock, and a small campfire, listening to the soughing wind through the passageways, was music to go to sleep by. It's a humbling place. One of the best things I've ever done. Should areas wild and remote be saved? Of course. Will Lake Powell ever be totally that way again? No. Make the best of what is left of it. Hope you find enjoyment on other trips.

- Suzanna Morgan, Cortez, Colorado