Grand Canyon National Park Initiates General Scoping on Proposal to Renovate Maswik Transportation Center

The National Park Service (NPS) is in the initial stages of planning for the renovation of the Maswik Transportation Center, the current site of the Backcountry Information Center. The project is located in the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The National Park Service is soliciting comments from those who may have issues or concerns regarding the proposal before proceeding with an environmental assessment.

The Maswik Transportation Center was built in the early 1990's prior to the completion of the Park's General Management Plan. Its original use was to serve as a secondary point of arrival for Grand Canyon Railway train passengers from Tusayan. A railroad spurline from Grand Canyon Airport into the park, serving as another means of mass transit for Park visitors, did not materialize. It would have been the point of arrival for up to 20% of South Rim visitors had this rail service been instituted. Since the mid-1990's, the facility has served as a Village Route shuttle bus stop combined with the Backcountry Information Center - the facility will continue to be utilized in this capacity, as well as accommodate the river permits office.

The Backcountry and river permits offices are in two separate buildings that were not originally designed to house them. The NPS proposes to consolidate these two offices and associated storage space into one facility that would provide for more efficient park operations and improved visitor services.

The river permits office, the backcountry permits office and all necessary storage would be consolidated into the one facility. The building has sufficient area under the existing roof structure to incorporate the entire required facility program. The proposed renovated facility would have a roof-covered public lobby, visitor contact windows, restrooms, offices, and storage. The facility will also continue to serve as a Village Route shuttle bus stop.

Complete details of this proposal can be found at the Park's website at www.nps.gov/compliance/ 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 April 1, 2002. Comments should be sent to Superintendent, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023; Attn: Sara White, Compliance Officer or emailed to Ms. White at sara_white@nps.gov.