Grand Canyon National Park Seeks Public Comment on Environmental Assessment for North Rim Development Plan

GRAND CANYON, AZ - Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Joseph F. Alston today announced the release of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the North Rim Development Plan, which is tiered to Grand Canyon National Park’s 1995 General Management Plan. The park proposes actions on the North Rim that would improve visitor orientation and interpretation, vehicle and non-vehicular circulation, employee housing, and the use of various historic and non-historic buildings. The boundary of the planning area includes National Park Service land along the State Highway 67 road corridor from the North Rim Entrance Station to Bright Angel peninsula and the developed areas on the peninsula. Proposed actions include expanded interpretive exhibits and media in the existing visitor center and the Lodge; reconfiguration of the Lodge road and parking area; widening of the North Kaibab Trailhead parking area; and construction of a Greenway trail segment between the North Kaibab Trailhead and the Lodge, among others.

The EA evaluates one alternative for addressing the purpose and need for action (Alternative B). The evaluation of taking no action at this time (Alternative A, No Action) is also included for comparison.

Copies of the EA can be obtained by writing to the Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023, Attn: Sara White, Environmental Compliance Officer, or on-line at www.nps.gov/grca/compliance/nr-dvpt-plan.htm. Comments will be accepted for 30 days and should be sent to Sara White at the above address by August 16, 2005. For questions or additional information, please contact Debbie Lutch, project compliance lead, at 928-774-0095.