Overloaded houseboat burying human waste in the sand

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One of the ways to solve the problem would be thru better communication from the NPS. How about a big sign at all of the entrances with pictures portable toilets and a picture of a shovel and TP with an x thru it? That would get everyone’s attention, but the grabber would be the announcement of a fine of $310.00 per cathole! That, in big bold letters would make a difference. Most people can do the math and figure it isn’t worth the risk, IF the NPS was serious about enforcement. It will probably be up to the powell lovers to spread the word. If you see an offending party mention the story about the folks who opted to come all the way back to clean up instead of the 1000’s of dollar fine. No rants, just tell the story about IDing the boat (reg numbers, witnesses, 310 per hole, etc. ) Might also throw in a mention of DNA evidence.
 
Littlesaltwash said:
One of the ways to solve the problem would be thru better communication from the NPS. How about a big sign at all of the entrances with pictures portable toilets and a picture of a shovel and TP with an x thru it? That would get everyone’s attention, but the grabber would be the announcement of a fine of $310.00 per cathole! That, in big bold letters would make a difference. Most people can do the math and figure it isn’t worth the risk, IF the NPS was serious about enforcement. It will probably be up to the powell lovers to spread the word. If you see an offending party mention the story about the folks who opted to come all the way back to clean up instead of the 1000’s of dollar fine. No rants, just tell the story about IDing the boat (reg numbers, witnesses, 310 per hole, etc. ) Might also throw in a mention of DNA evidence.
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Big signs didn’t and will continue to not stop the spread of mussels. A good percentage of people just don’t care and never will, no matter how big a sign is.
 
I agree with Preston. It is pretty hard to not know the requirement to properly dispose of your waste at Lake Powell. I have seen so many places all over the west where people leave poop and TP, as if they are the first and only people that will ever be there! I think the more times people visit an area, and have a vested interest in the resource, they tend to act more responsibly. Unfortunately, a lot people have the outlook that "I will never be here again, so I don't care" or they just don't stop to think about what the place would be like if everyone acted as selfishly as they do....
 
I agree that lots of people do not care and will continue on doing what they are doing. But, the thought of a $310 fine per could change minds or bring up a discussion from more responsible people in the party. I know I would hate having to tell my daughters, “ yeah, I know it’s against regulations, butt....... Education is the key. Look at all of us who take it upon ourselves to conform re mussels, we read and understood its a problem and do our best to comply and inform others. Could be that information about the problem would change minds. Especially if they are downstream drinking the stuff.
 
Each time I have launched from Wahweap this year I have been asked two questions - 1. Where was the boat used last trip, and 2. How many days would I be out during this trip.

Seems easy for the personnel to ask in addition to these questions - do you have a toilet. There could be a campaign to ask that & educate the first year and the next year be required to show before driving down the ramps. When we do river trips we are required to have & show toilet as well as other required gear (1st aid, fire pan, etc. depending on river).

Personnel could also reinforce the leave no trace message regarding trash, graffiti, etc.

We wordlings could encourage the NPS to make the change to help keep LP clean.

Any thoughts?
 
dont feed the gators
beware of the cliff
crocodiles in this area
bears have killed people here
do not approach the bison
pack your own chute

these are also warnings which people ignore and pay a price...

follow up with fines will help the majority of the hole diggers
 
So eddy, maybe a full color pamphlet as you come thru the entrances. The NPS folks could say, “Please read this regarding the issues of fecal matter in the lake, associated health issues and the regulations on proper disposal. Also, the second page addresses trash, not only paper, aluminum, and glass, but food scraps as well which will attract rodents... which attract rattlesnakes after dark when it cools down. Have a nice day!”
 
oof, my friends found rattlers under their easy-up a few trips ago...forgot what spot...but more than one rattle snake in their personal space during the day.
 
26Biesemeyer said:
oof, my friends found rattlers under their easy-up a few trips ago...forgot what spot...but more than one rattle snake in their personal space during the day.
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About 6 weeks before the Houseboat wrecked the beach referred to in this post, a large group of us camped on that same beach. Frogs (toads?) were everywhere, and we found 2 rattlesnakes in camp one night. I hiked that beach the next morning, and found snake holes EVERYWHERE :eek:
 
I am a little amazed that the trend on this thread has run from one of personal responsibility to one of ignorance as a defense.

Anyone that has attempted to gather any information at all on camping or boating in Glen Canyon that includes overnight stays cannot help but step on (sts) the sanitation requirements of the GCNRA.

To say otherwise like "Gee, I didn't know and nobody told me" seems a flimsy attempt to deflect responsibility from where it belongs and onto other people, namely the NPS.

The NPS is NOT at fault for anyone not knowing the rules. That information is there to anyone that looks or asks the question. I do agree however that the NPS is at great fault for NOT enforcing the law. If they did, the fines could help clean up after the irresponsible morons befouling the GCNRA.

Some may disagree on this and I may now suffer the slings and arrows of posting to a public forum. Just remember that said criticism will come from someone that doesn't know anymore than to squat and leave it wherever they may be.

After reading the recent postings in this thread I feel compelled to state the following. Please note that the following is for public release and wide dissemination:
Def Rules.jpg


After all the GCNRA is not San Francisco,
Goblin
 
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