Grand Canyon North Rim to Open for the Season on May 10

April 30, 2002 (NPS): The North Rim of Grand Canyon, which is closed each winter, will be opened to the public beginning Friday, May 10th at 8:00 a.m. Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. at the North Rim (Xanterra), formally known as TW Recreational Services, Inc., and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their season operations on May 10th, continuing through October 14th, 2002. Xanterra operations include lodging, camper services, food services, groceries and a service station. All concessions facilities will open at 11:30 a.m.

All services provided by the National Park Service including visitor information, backcountry permit reservations, campground and ranger programs will be available on May 10th as well.

Advance overnight lodging reservations for North Rim facilities may be made by contacting Xanterra reservations in Denver at (303) 297-2757. Advance reservations for the North Rim Campground must be made through Spherics, and can be made up to five months in advance by calling 1(800) 365-2267. Callers from outside of the United States must call (301) 722-1257.

The Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center, operated by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service will also open on May 10th. The center is located on Highway 67 near Jacob Lake (approximately 45 miles from the North Rim) and will be open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The North Rim lies at the south end of the Kaibab Plateau at approximately 8,500 feet in elevation, and is approximately a 215-mile drive from the South Rim. Points of interest include: Bright Angel Point, North Kaibab Trail, Point Imperial, Cape Royal and Point Sublime. For a copy of the park's free Trip Planner please call (928) 638-7888 or write, Trip Planner, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. The Trip Planner is also available on the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/grca/.

Grand Canyon National Park Seeks Public Comment on Research on Wildfire Hazard Reduction in Ponderosa Pine Ecosystems

April 22, 2002 (NPS): Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) Superintendent Joseph F. Alston today announced the release of an Environmental Assessment and Assessment of Effect for Research on Wildfire Hazard Reduction in Ponderosa Pine Ecosystems at Grand Canyon National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) is soliciting comments from those who may have suggestions or concerns regarding the proposal.

Wildfire programs are administered in National Parks in a manner that will scientifically manage wildfire using the best available technology, as an essential ecological process to restore, preserve, or maintain ecosystems, and use resource information gained through research to evaluate and improve the program. In addition this program is administered in a manner as to protect life and property and accomplish resource management objectives, including returning the natural role of fire in fire-dependent ecosystems.

The purpose of this research is to compare four fire management approaches in GRCA. The proposed treatments are aimed at safely managing hazardous forest fuels while protecting old trees and other resources. This research would compare fire suppression and prescribed fire to two levels of thinning of small diameter trees followed by prescribed burning.

The Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA) analyzes the impacts of three fire management research alternatives at GRCA: A) a no-action alternative; B) the alternative based on a research design developed by Northern Arizona University; and C) the agency preferred/environmentally preferred alternative.

The preferred alternative is a revised set of treatments designed to address public comment received on an EA titled Grand Canyon Forest Restoration Research, released for public comment in January 1999. The preferred alternative also reflects park manager's objectives to develop appropriate management strategies through carefully monitored, long-term scientific experiments that meet both fire and resource management objectives.

The NPS proposes to complete experimental treatments on a total of 160 acres (80-acre blocks on both the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park). Each 80-acre block will be divided into four 20-acre experimental units. One of four treatments would be randomly assigned to each unit. Treatments under the preferred alternative would include:

1. Intermediate thinning and burning treatment - Under this treatment, most trees less than five inches diameter at breast height (dbh) would be cut. The thinning would be followed by prescribed fire treatments.
2. Minimal thinning and burning treatment - Under this treatment, thinning would be targeted around individual trees that are generally 120 years old or older. Trees with a dbh of five inches or less, within a predetermined distance around the older trees, would be cut. The thinning would be followed by prescribed fire treatments.
3. Burn-only treatment - Under this treatment no trees would be cut except when required to mitigate specific hazards to safely burn. The units would be treated with prescribed fire.
4. Control - Under this treatment no trees would be thinned, and fire would continue to be excluded from the unit.

All treatments would be carried out under NPS supervision.

The South Rim experimental site is located in the Grandview area east of the Grand Canyon Village. The North Rim site is located on Swamp Ridge northwest of the North Rim developed area. These two sites represent different forest types within the Park; the South Rim site is primarily a ponderosa pine/oak site, while the North Rim is pine/fir. Although the North Rim site is located within a proposed wilderness area, the NPS has a responsibility to support appropriate scientific activities in wilderness and to use science to improve wilderness management. The NPS also recognizes that appropriate scientific activities may be critical to the long-term preservation of wilderness. This research has been designed to reduce impacts within the North Rim proposed wilderness by limiting the cutting of trees to less than 5 inches dbh; using only hand tools for cutting trees on the North Rim; retaining all cut trees with no wood leaving the experimental site; and not requiring any skid trails, landings or additional roads.

Results of this research would be used to evaluate and refine techniques for reducing hazardous fuels for wildland-urban interface fuel treatments; preparation of defensible perimeters for burn units; reducing wildfire spread beyond Park boundaries; and protection of sensitive and cultural resources.

The NPS will hold a public open house in Grand Canyon National Park, Flagstaff, Arizona and Kanab Utah to provide information, answer questions and collect comments. The open house schedule is as follows:

• May 7 - Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim Village, Community Building, Classroom A: 6:30 - 9:00 pm.
• May 8 - Radisson Woodlands Hotel, 1175 W. Route 66, Flagstaff, Arizona, Canyon Room: 6:30 - 9:00 pm.
• May 9 - Shilo Inn Suites, 296 West 100 North, Kanab, Utah, Conference Room: 6:30 - 9:00 pm.

For a complete description of this research project please visit our web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca/forest/ or send a written request for a copy to Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023: Attn: Sara White, Compliance Officer. Comments will be accepted for 45 days and should be submitted to Sara White at the above address by June 5, 2002. For questions regarding this proposed research, please contact Dr. Robert Winfree, Senior Scientist, at 928/226-0159.

Celebrate National Park Week with Grand Canyon National Park

April 15, 2002 (NPS): Ready to kick off a year of fun, adventure and learning? Join Grand Canyon National Park to celebrate National Park Week, April 22-28, 2002. Park Rangers are inviting the public to join them in walks and other programs on the natural and cultural history of Grand Canyon. Junior Ranger programs are also offered for kids from ages 4 to 14. The Junior Ranger Program is a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn how to take care of Grand Canyon and other national parks, explore and learn more about the park's geology, ecology and history, and to bring fun facts home to share with family and friends. For a complete listing of programs consult the park's publication "The Guide", a copy of which is given to visitors at all Grand Canyon entrance points (note: the North Rim of Grand Canyon is closed for the season until May 10th).

The Grand Canyon Habitat Restoration Team is inviting people of all ages to join them during National Park Week in their fight to stop alien invaders. The team meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at Canyon View Information Plaza (CVIP) at 1:00 pm. With volunteers working by their side, the team will work to remove non-native plant species from the park. "It's a wonderful opportunity for the public to become involved in protecting our public lands" Joseph F. Alston, Park Superintendent said. "Activities will include digging out non-native plants or collecting seeds and cuttings for future habitat restoration projects within the park." Volunteers should bring a hat and one quart of water for this adventure. Volunteers should plan to use the park's free shuttle bus service for transportation to CVIP.

"National Park Week is an opportunity for us to extend warm invitations to our neighbors and friends - especially those who have never visited a national park - to experience the wonder of these special places," National Park Service Director Fran P. Mainella said.

"Our neighbors have a national park at their doorstep" Alston said. "I invite everyone to come and see what Grand Canyon National Park has to offer and to participate in an activity to protect park resources during National Park Week and year round."

The first National Park Week celebrated the 75th anniversary of the National Park Service, and the president has proclaimed it annually since 1994. America's 385 national parks tell our country's stories and welcome visitors year-round; National Park Week is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many ways national parks enrich people's lives.

For information on National Park Week events, including March for Parks, in communities and national parks across the country, check out http://www.nps.gov/npweek/. For more information on Grand Canyon National Park visit the park's website at http://www.nps.gov/grca/.

Grand Canyon National Park Seeks Comment On Revised Proposal for Grand Canyon Greenway Trail Segments

April 11, 2002 (NPS): Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Joseph F. Alston today announced the release of a Revised Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed construction of two trail segments as part of the Grand Canyon Greenway from Canyon View Information Plaza (CVIP), the new orientation/transportation hub on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, to the future Grand Canyon Transit Center in Tusayan (located near the park boundary).

The National Park Service (NPS) invited the public to review and comment on an EA released on November 26, 2001 for the proposed Greenway segments. The NPS received comments proposing equestrian use on the trail, a use not in the original proposal. After careful consideration, the NPS has included equestrian use in the revised trail proposal and is again seeking public review and comment.

The trail segments would continue to be ten-feet wide, constructed with a hardened surface, and could be used by bicyclists, hikers, and equestrians. The EA analyzes two alternatives; A) a no action alternative, and B) the revised proposed action - the agency preferred alternative. Through Alternative B the NPS proposes to construct 2.3 miles of trail in previously undisturbed areas in Grand Canyon National Park that would complete a seven-mile trail connecting the park with the town of Tusayan as mentioned above. The other 4.7 miles of this seven-mile trail were analyzed and previously covered under a Categorical Exclusion.

The Greenway on the South Rim is being constructed in several phases. The first two phases are in areas within Grand Canyon Village, the third is the section of trail from CVIP to Tusayan. Phase I consists of a two-mile trail from Yavapai Point to the westernmost overlook on Desert View Drive known as Pipe Creek Vista Overlook - the first segment of this trail from Yavapai Point to Mather Point was completed and opened to the public in August 2001. The remaining segment from Mather Point to Pipe Creek Vista Overlook has been constructed and will be paved next fall, subsequent to the annual Mexican Spotted Owl breeding season. Phase II consists of a two-mile trail from CVIP to Grand Canyon Village. A majority of this phase was completed in late fall 2001. The remaining section should be completed by mid-summer. Phase III is the proposed trail from CVIP to the Grand Canyon Transit Center.

A copy of the Revised EA can be found on the Grand Canyon National Park website, http://www.nps.gov/grca/compliance/index.htm. Comments will be accepted for 30 days and should be sent to the Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023, Attn: Sara White, Compliance Officer no later than May 24, 2002. For questions or additional information about this project, please contact, Michael Terzich, Project Manager at (928) 774-3402. Additional information on the Greenway can also be found at http://www.nps.gov/grca/greenway/index.htm.

New Zealand Man Rescued After Fall Into Canyon

April 3, 2002 (NPS): A twenty-nine year old New Zealand man was rescued this afternoon after falling approximately 75 feet into the Grand Canyon. The accident occurred approximately ¼ mile west of Hopi Point along the popular Hermit Road on the West Rim.

Members of the Grand Canyon Technical Search and Rescue Team, headed up by Incident Commander Bil Vandergraff, rappelled down to the victim, stabilized him, and then evacuated the victim by helicopter short-haul to the canyon rim. A deputy from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office assisted with the rescue operation. The victim was transported by ground ambulance to the Grand Canyon Helibase, then transferred to Guardian Air Transport (Angel One) for transportation to Flagstaff Medical Center where he will be treated for his injuries.

The accident occurred at approximately 1:45 p.m. and was witnessed by the victim's brother, also from New Zealand. The victim's bother reported the accident by flagging down a passing shuttle bus, operated by Paul Revere Transportation.

This is the third successful rescue operation in the last month. On March 4th, a 72-year-old woman from Missouri was rescued after falling approximately 100 feet from the rim near Yavapai Point, and on March 20th park rangers were called in to rescue a visitor stranded below the rim. "These visitors were lucky," said Vandergraff. "They don't all turn out so well." Vandergraff added, "these are preventable accidents, and can quickly turn a vacation into a nightmare. Visitors should use caution anytime they are near the rim, stay behind the guardrails and retaining walls, and be aware of their footing and the condition of the ground surface they are standing on."

The National Park Service will conduct an investigation into the accident with the assistance of Coconino Country Sheriff's Office.

Busy Fire Season Expected - Community Meetings To Discuss Fire Safety

April 1, 2002 (NPS): Fire managers at Grand Canyon National Park are anticipating a busy fire season this year. While recent spring moisture helped, Arizona is still the driest it has been in recorded history, according to the National Weather Service.

Historically, the park receives more than half of its annual precipitation in the winter months, but winters have been warmer and drier than usual since 1998. This winter, the park received only 28% of the normal snowfall. Drought monitoring indicates that the entire park is at severe levels with large portions in extreme drought status. Forecasts call for these conditions to persist through at least May. Current fuel and weather conditions are indicative of those generally seen in late May or June.

Grand Canyon National Park, Kaibab National Forest, and the Tusayan Fire Department will be hosting several Community Meetings to discuss the upcoming fire season, fire safety and prevention. The public is invited to attend at the following locations:

• Page, Arizona - April 23, from 12:00-4:00pm, at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area - Headquarters Building, 691 Scenic View Road.
• Tusayan, Arizona - April 25, from 5:00-7:00pm, in the Zuni Room at the Best Western Squire Inn, Highway 64.

Previous months:

Interaction:
Send us your Grand Canyon photos, we publish them! [ e-mail ]