Update:  Lake Powell has a plan to reopen lake access and boating to everyone beginning May 8!  The opening will be in phases over the next few weeks.  For more details see: https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Thanks to all those who signed the petition and thanks to Gov. Herbert and Gov. Ducey who I believe have now been pushing for this opening.

I'll keep this petition open for those that want to show their support for the lake to never be closed again. 

Original Petition:

Lake Powell is now closed as of 5:00 pm April 6.  This includes all launch ramps and boating.

Please help to stop this closing and getting it reopened. This was apparently at the request of Utah Governor Herbert.  Please contact the Governors office to voice you disapproval of this action, as well as other officials who can help correct this. You can easily post a comment here:  https://governor.utah.gov/contact/

- It seems more and more that irrational fear is overriding any sense of reasonable response to the current health crisis.  We need to be careful, but this closure is a significant overreach.  Lake Powell is unique, and does not have the same risks that have lead to other National and State Parks being closed.

- Risks at Lake Powell from Corona Virus are extremely low if managed reasonably.  Shutting down of some services (Rentals, Lodging, Restaurants, etc.) is understandable, but these are not needed for most people who were coming to the lake during this time.  These are mostly experienced Lake Powell houseboaters and campers who are self sufficient. 

- The need to inspect and monitor vessels leaving the lake for mussels is understandable.  However, reasonable measures could be implemented to prevent any close human to human contact and eliminate almost all risk.   Alternatively, restricting vessels to only those that do not ever operate outside of Lake Powell would also mitigate this risk.  The lake has never been continuously monitored at all hours anyway, any adaptation needed due to the current health crisis is not going to significantly change the already existing risks.  

- For many people Lake Powell is their definition of isolation and can serve as excellent place to self quarantine.