Grand Canyon National Park Seeks Public Comment On Environmental Assessment/Assessment Of Effect For North Rim Campground Rehabilitation & Water Distribution System Improvements

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Joseph F. Alston today announced the release of an Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA/AEF) entitled: North Rim Campground Rehabilitation & Water Distribution System Improvements. The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to rehabilitate the North Rim campground including actions such as resurfacing roads, removing the existing fee collection kiosk and replacing it with a larger registration building, rehabilitating existing restrooms, and constructing new restrooms in the group site. Grand Canyon National Park also proposes to improve the North Rim water distribution system, including the establishment of a fire protection system, by replacing undersized and leaking antiquated piping, adding or replacing fire hydrants where necessary, upgrading a pressure booster (pumping) station, and connecting existing reclaimed water piping hydraulically to the potable water system. The 1995 Grand Canyon National Park General Management Plan addresses improvements to the campground and water distribution system on the North Rim. The NPS is soliciting comments from the public on the proposal.

The EA/AEF evaluates three alternatives for addressing the purpose and need for action, including a no action alternative and two action alternatives. Both action alternatives include upgrading the existing water distribution system through replacement of existing piping, use of the existing reclaimed pipeline for potable water for the fire protection system, installation of a new pumping station, and the addition of some new fire hydrants. Both alternatives also include repaving roads within the campground, rehabilitating five existing campsites into universally accessible campsites, campground restroom and walkway rehabilitation, and construction of a comfort station and a vault toilet at the group site. The primary difference between the action alternatives is the way in which the campground entry is addressed. Alternative B also includes reconfiguration of the campground entrance to include construction of a new entrance and exit, removal of the existing campground kiosk and replacement with a new drive-up fee collection kiosk, and construction of four new tent campsite spurs. The preferred alternative, Alternative C includes the removal of the existing campground kiosk and the construction of a new walk-up registration building adjacent to the existing parking area.

Copies of the EA/AEF 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/. Comments will be accepted for 30 days and should be sent to Sara White at the above address by April 30, 2003. For questions or additional information, please contact Debbie Lutch, project compliance lead, at 928-774-0095.