Yavapai Observation Station Rehabilitation

Environmental Assessment
June 2003

The purpose of this document is to disclose the expected effects to the human environment of various components of the proposed Yavapai Observation Station rehabilitation project. The human environment is defined as the natural and physical environment and the relationship of people with that environment. The building, eligible as a National Historic Landmark, is located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Coconino County, Arizona. The proposal includes both interior and exterior rehabilitation. All efforts are designed to preserve historic features and elements of the building while improving functionality, safety, and accessibility for users. Ground disturbing activities are minimal and are focused on the immediate area surrounding the building. This project is located within the Rowe Well watershed. Public Comment period for the EA ended July 21, 2003.

The proposed project is needed to address the following management concerns:

• The building does not have a fire detection or sprinkler system and is not in full compliance with accessibility standards or building codes.
• The building exterior, including log viga ends, roof, native stone masonry, trim and woodwork is deteriorated and in need of repair. Unnecessary equipment on the roof and obsolete exterior utilities detract from the building's historic character, and need to be removed when possible.
• The building interior, including paint, flooring, windows and doors, is in need of repair.
• The existing heating and cooling systems are inadequate. Temporary solutions for cooling the building have been implemented, but a permanent solution is necessary.
• The functions for Yavapai Observation Station as identified in the 1995 GMP are not being met. The facility is primarily used a bookstore with only limited interpretive exhibits.
• Small access barrier (uneven surfaces and paving irregularities) around the exterior of the building needs to be eliminated.

This Environmental Assessment (EA) is available as a PDF file and as a text file. PDF files retain the look and feel of the original document (including typography, page layout, and graphics), text files do not.

The PDF file can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 5 or newer). If you plan on printing the file, it may print faster if you download it to your computer. To view a PDF in your browser window, click on the file link and the Acrobat Reader plug-in will automatically load and display the file. To download a PDF to your computer, right-click on the PDF link and choose the "Save Link/Target As" option from the drop-down menu. After saving the file to your computer, click on its alias/icon and Acrobat Reader will launch and open the PDF for viewing and/or printing. PDF file - EA Yavapai Observation Station Rehabilitation - 1.2mb

The text file can be viewed within your browser by clicking on the link below. Or you can download the file (to download the file, right-click on the link and choose the "Save Link/Target As" option from the drop-down menu) and then view it in any word processing program. text file - EA Yavapai Observation Station Rehabilitation - 200kb

Finding of No Significant Impact
February 2005

PDF file - FONSI Yavapai Observation Station - 177kb

Scoping Letter
October 2001

In October 24, 2001 the National Park Service sent out a Scoping Letter seeking comments on the proposed Yavapai Observation Station Rehabilitation. The purpose of the scoping letter was to describe the initial proposed action for the project and to solicit comments from those who might have had issues or concerns regarding the proposal before the environmental analysis for the project was begun. Public comment for the Scoping Letter ended November 26, 2001.

PDF file - Rehabilitation of Mather Campground, Yavapai Observation Station, and Ranger Operations Building, general scoping - 1.7mb