News Release

Zion Releases the South Entrance Fee Station Reconfiguration Environmental Assessment for Public Review and Comment

Date: August 20, 2018
Contact: Aly Baltrus, [phone]
Contact: Shauna Ertolacci, [phone]

SPRINGDALE, UT – Today, the National Park Service announced it will begin accepting public comments on a plan to redesign the Zion National Park South Entrance Fee Station. The objectives outlined in the Environmental Assessment are to decrease park entry wait times for vehicular traffic, reduce localized vehicle congestion, improve employee safety, develop a renewable energy source to sustain park operations, and replace faulty culverts to improve roadway conditions during weather events.
 
“Throughout this process, park staff will continue to work with the Town of Springdale, Utah Department of Transportation and others to maintain visitor entry during construction. Adding entrance stations and traffic lanes through this project will improve recreational access via the South Entrance to the park” said Zion Superintendent, Jeff Bradybaugh.
 
The Environmental Assessment was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, which provides a decision-making framework that 1) analyzes a reasonable range of alternative to meet project objectives, 2) evaluates potential issues and impacts to the surrounding resources, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of these impacts. 
 
The South Entrance Fee Station Reconfiguration Environmental Assessment is now available for public review from Aug. 20 through Sept. 3 on the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/zion. You may also contact the Zion Environmental Protection Specialist by email at [e-mail] or by phone at (435)-772-0144 to request a hard copy.
 
The NPS encourages you to review the Environmental Assessment and send us your comments by the close of the comment period. Comments may be submitted online through PEPC or through the mail by writing to: ZION Superintendent, ATTN: South Entrance Fee Station Reconfiguration EA, Zion National Park, State Route 9 Springdale, UT 84767.