Grand Canyon National Park Initiates General Scoping on Proposed Projects Within the Grand Canyon Village

The National Park Service (NPS) is in the initial stages of planning for three projects proposed in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The proposed projects consist of rehabilitation of Mather Campground including upgrading campsites and comfort stations, relocating several campsites, and redesigning the campground entrance, the rehabilitation of Yavapai Observation Station, and the rehabilitation of the historic Ranger Operations Building. The National Park Service is soliciting comments from those who may have issues or concerns regarding the proposals before proceeding with environmental assessments.

The purpose of the proposal for Mather Campground is to provide universal accessibility and a high quality experience within Mather Campground, in keeping with the direction in the Park's 1995 General Management Plan (GMP). The proposal is intended to improve the overall experience of campground users.

Twelve to 15 campsites would be converted/rehabilitated to universally accessible sites. Accessible sites would be evenly distributed throughout the campground and would meet Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements. Accessible picnic tables, grills, and campsite signs would be added to each site. Work would also include grading, replacing or widening parking space pavement, and providing accessible pathways between campsites and comfort stations. Eleven comfort stations within the campground would be rehabilitated, "Oak Loop" would be expanded by constructing 13 new campsites, and nine campsites on "Juniper Loop" closed due to their close proximity to the road or potential transit corridors.

The campground entrance would also be reconfigured, and the registration function the kiosk currently provides would be relocated to an existing modular building and the kiosk removed.

The GMP identifies Yavapai Observation Station as an interpretive facility. In keeping with the direction outlined in the GMP, this proposed project is intended to rehabilitate the building. The building is located at a key point for viewing the canyon and observing the geological story and is within a short walking distance to Canyon View Information Plaza, the Park's new orientation/transportation hub. The proposal would potentially include two phases of implementation. The first phase would have two components - rehabilitation of the building and installation of new exhibits. The park is also exploring an option to implement a second phase of the project that focuses on the eventual restoration of the open-air terrace of the building.

The NPS also proposes extensive interior and exterior repairs and rehabilitation to the historic Ranger Operations building, a National Historic Landmark that was originally constructed in 1929 to serve as park headquarters. In addition to repair and rehabilitation the work would include upgrading the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, the electrical systems, and installation of fire protection systems and seismic structural retrofit. Work will also include making the south side entry door accessible under ADA code requirements and providing an accessible path to this entrance, and the addition of an exterior stairway from the second floor to bring the building up to current building code.

Complete details of these proposed projects can be found at the Park's website at www.nps.gov/grca/mgmt/ or by contacting Debbie Lutch, Environmental Protection Specialist, at (928) 774-0095. Comments will be accepted for a period of 30 days, and should be received no later than November 26, 2001. Comments should be sent to Superintendent, Attn: Sara White, Compliance Officer, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 or e-mailed to Sara White, Compliance Officer at sara_white@nps.gov.