Grand Canyon National Park Seeks Public Comment on Environmental Assessment for a Tamarisk Management and Tributary Restoration Project

February 27, 2002 (NPS): Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Joseph F. Alston today announced the release of an Environmental Assessment /Assessment of Effect (EA/AEF) titled Tamarisk Management and Tributary Restoration, a proposal to control tamarisk in side canyons, tributaries, developed areas, and springs above the pre-dam water level in Grand Canyon National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) is soliciting comments from those who may have issues or concerns regarding the proposal.

Tamarisk is a non-native plant that has established itself in riparian habitats throughout the Colorado River basin. Tamarisk reached the Grand Canyon area between the late 1920s and early 1930s and became a dominant species in the riparian zone along the Colorado River following completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. Preliminary surveys have been conducted in 157 side canyons within the Park. These surveys indicate that tamarisk is in the early stages of invading the tributaries up from the main river corridor.

Tamarisk is an aggressive competitor, and once established in an area, it typically spreads and persists. These prolific nonnative shrubs displace native vegetation and animals, alter soil salinity, and increase fire frequency. The purpose of the Tamarisk Management and Tributary Restoration project is to restore more natural conditions and prevent any further loss or degradation of the existing plant and animal life in side canyons along the Colorado River, and to determine the appropriate minimum requirements - a process to determine which actions have the least impact on wilderness resources and still accomplish project goals and objectives.

The EA/AEF considers two alternatives, a no action alternative and the proposed action alternative that examines the use of a combination of methods to manage tamarisk including mechanical, chemical, and cultural (i.e. seeding) and revegetation. While this project focuses primarily on inner-canyon tamarisk removal in side canyons, control actions would also occur in rim developed areas. The project would begin in spring or fall of 2002 and continue for five years.

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, Compliance Officer, on-line at http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/ or by calling Sara White at (928) 638-7956. Comments will be accepted for 30-days and should be sent to Sara White at the above address by April 1, 2002. For questions or additional information on this proposal, please contact Lori Makarick, Project Leader at (928) 638-7964.

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

February 27, 2002 (NPS): 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 http://www.nps.gov/grca/ 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.

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