Crater Lake closed to scuba divers
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CRATER LAKE, Ore. (AP) - National park officials have temporarily closed Crater Lake to scuba diving over the threat of invasive species.
Park officials announced Wednesday that the closure will remain in effect while they develop rules to be sure that microscopic species, such as quagga mussels, spiny water fleas and viruses, don't hitchhike into the pristine lake waters on diving gear.
Park Superintendent Craig Ackerman says the lake is becoming more popular with divers, raising the threat that some new creature could invade the lake ecosystem and change it forever.
Lying in the caldera created by the collapse of a huge volcano more than 7,000 years ago, Crater Lake is the nation's deepest and clearest lake.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Why not just set up a temporary scuba gear rental at the site, "use our gear only thing". They could probably get a volunteer to run it. Problem solved no invasive species, if that is the real reason.
@souptonuts One more instannce of the the government telling the public what the public can do with (haha) "public" lands.
 @OregonOrator  @souptonuts Crater Lake is a world gem.  Like it or not  government is a needed to moderate a democracy.  It is not always pretty. Â
@drinkmorewater @souptonuts Fine, but don't call it public property when it really isn't.