Backcountry Information Center

Finding of No Significant Impact
February 2003

This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is available as a PDF file. PDF files retain the look and feel of the original document (including typography, page layout, and graphics).

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 - FONSI Backcountry Information Center - 256kb

Environmental Asssessment
November 2002

The purpose of the proposal is to consolidate the existing backcountry office, the existing river/special use permits office and associated storage into an upgraded facility located and designed to best meet the needs of park operations and the visiting public. The facility, formerly known as Maswik Transportation Center, would be called the Backcountry Information Center and would include a roof-covered public lobby, visitor contact windows, restrooms, offices, and storage. The facility would continue to serve as a prominent Grand Canyon Village route shuttle bus stop. The proposal includes remodeling the existing building to accommodate the consolidated backcountry, river, and special-use permitting functions. The roofline and supporting structure would remain unchanged. All of the spatial requirements of the facility would be met with the design of a new floor plan within the existing roofline and supporting structure. Combining all of the backcountry, river, and special-use permitting functions into a single building would increase the efficiency of park operations and provide enhanced service to park visitors. The remodel of an existing building to serve this function minimizes new ground disturbance and the potential for impacts to natural and cultural resources. Public Comment period for the EA ended December 9, 2002.

The Environmental Asssessment Backcountry Information Center is available in two formats, 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 Backcountry Information Center - 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 Backcountry Information Center - 143kb

Scoping Letter
February 2002

In February 22, 2002 the National Park Service sent out a Scoping Letter seeking comments on the Backcountry Information Center. 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 April 1, 2002.

PDF file - Comments on Backcountry Information Center (General Scoping) - 226kb

Scoping Letter
December 2000

In December 8, 2000 the National Park Service sent out a Scoping Letter seeking comments on the Backcountry and River Permits Office. 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 January 31, 2001.

PDF file - Comments on Backcountry and River Permits Office (General Scoping) - 97kb