Grand Canyon National Park Seeks Public Comment On Environmental Assessment/Assessment Of Effect For Replacement, Rehabilitation And Maintenance Of Backcountry And Corridor Toilets

March 24, 2003 (NPS): Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Joseph F. Alston today announced the release of an Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA/AEF) entitled: Replacement, Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Backcountry and Corridor Toilets. The National Park Service (NPS) is soliciting comments from the public on the proposal.

The NPS, at Grand Canyon, proposes to replace/rehabilitate and maintain 11 toilets in the backcountry and seven toilets in the Cross-Canyon corridor in the inner canyon. Many of the existing backcountry toilets are pit toilets that are substandard, and expose Park employees to unsanitary conditions while cleaning and servicing the toilets, and to the visitors who use them. The proposal analyzes the potential impacts created from replacement/rehabilitation of the toilets, as well as from cyclic maintenance required for periodic emptying and removal of waste.

Most of the Grand Canyon backcountry (excluding the Cross-Canyon Corridor) lies within proposed wilderness. NPS policies require that these proposed areas be managed under the provisions of the Wilderness Act. As such, maintenance of backcountry toilets falls under the "minimum tool concept," which allows for park superintendents to select the method or administrative practice necessary to successfully and safely accomplish the management objectives with the least impact on wilderness character and resources. Therefore, a "Minimum Requirement Analysis" will also be conducted to determine the minimum tools or methods necessary for both the installation and long-term maintenance of toilets located within proposed wilderness areas.

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: 1) replacement of existing pit toilets at six backcountry sites with above ground vault toilets, 2) transportation of these vault units into the backcountry via helicopter, and 3) improved cyclic maintenance of all backcountry and corridor toilets throughout the year. The preferred alternative, Alternative B, also includes helicopter use for periodic emptying/removal at 11 sites and mule and/or boat use for six sites. Alternative C proposes helicopter use for periodic emptying/removal at three sites and a combination of mules, boats or backpack transport for periodic emptying/removal at the remainder of the sites.

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 25, 2003. For questions or additional information, please contact Debbie Lutch, project compliance lead, at 928-774-0095.

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

March 24, 2003 (NPS): 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.

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