Grand Canyon National Park Officials Announce New Use Restrictions, but the Park Remains Open!

June 28, 2002 (NPS): Effective 8 a.m. today, Friday June 28, 2002, new use restrictions are in place for Grand Canyon National Park. These restrictions are due to severe drought conditions that have resulted in EXTREME fire danger. The fire danger has heightened the concern for public safety.

Developed areas, including paved roads and overlooks, visitor centers, campgrounds, hotels, foodservice, gift shops and most visitor services remain available to the visiting public.

Undeveloped areas on the North Rim and South Rim, and in the Inner-canyon, are restricted from public use.

The following areas are open:

• Paved roads on the North and South rims remain open for normal motorized, mechanized and pedestrian travel.
• The area north of Desert View Drive (Highway 64) and Hermit Road on the South Rim is open to park visitors.
• Developed picnic areas immediately adjacent to the south side of Desert View Drive are available for public use.
• The Tusayan Museum access road and museum complex are open for visitor use.
• Mather and Desert View campgrounds are open.
• The Bright Angel, South Kaibab, North Kaibab, and Tonto (between South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails) trails are available to access the inner-canyon.
• The Colorado River corridor and adjacent attraction sites are available to permitted commercial and non-commercial river trips.
• Indian Garden, Bright Angel, and Cottonwood campgrounds are accessible with a backcountry permit.
• Point Imperial, Vista Encantada, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook Cape Royal and Bright Angel Point overlooks remain open on the North Rim.
• The Uncle Jim Trail on the North Rim is open to concession mule rides only. Pedestrian use is prohibited.
• Additional open areas on the North rim include the Bright Angel Peninsula developed area. This includes the Grand Canyon Lodge, the North Rim developed campground, CC Hill and stock use area.
• Administrative support facilities and employee residential areas remain open.

The fire, smoking, and fireworks restrictions remain in effect.

Illnesses Reported by River Rafters on Colorado River Tentatively Identified

June 20, 2002 (NPS): Preliminary evidence of a gastrointestinal illness reported by persons participating in recent rafting trips on the Colorado River indicates a Norwalk-like virus has caused the outbreak. The first illness was reported to have started on June 1 and the last case on June 14. During that time 51 people are thought to have suffered from diarrhea and vomiting with a 1-2 day duration. This number has changed from previous reports as cases are reviewed. It now appears that at least one hiker may be included among those who have contracted the illness. One of the difficulties in tabulating an exact number of cases is that the symptoms are very similar to those identified with heat-related conditions that are also common at this time of the year. Two medical evacuations were conducted for people suffering from symptoms similar to this the illness, that at the time of evacuation were thought to be suffering from dehydration.

Analysis of a single specimen obtained from a portable toilet used by one of the river groups confirmed a virus. Additional specimens from other affected river groups, and individuals who have suffered from the illness are being analyzed. Results from these additional specimens are anticipated early next week. Norwalk-like viruses are the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness in the United States and are among the most common outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhea. The virus can be easily spread through person to person contact or inadequate sanitation practices.

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia will be conducting a number of additional studies. An epidemiology study comparing individuals who became sick with individuals on the river during the same time period who remained healthy is currently underway. Environmental sampling is also being conducted. A river trip is scheduled for the purposes of sampling numerous sites along the river corridor to determine if there are any point sources of the virus. Results from this study are expected later this summer.

River users are reminded to be extra vigilant with their sanitation practices. Drinking water obtained from the river or side canyons should be filtered and treated with iodine or chlorine, then allowed to rest before consumption. An alternative method is to boil all drinking water. Frequent hand washing and careful food preparation helps to control the spread of the illness from person to person. River guides who develop the illness while on a trip should not participate in food preparation.

A number of people and agencies have cooperated in researching and minimizing the spread of this illness. River guides were prompt in reporting when it became obvious that this involved more than a few isolated cases. This rapid reporting system was developed in response to similar illnesses in 1994 and 2000. Others assisting the NPS, include the United States Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coconino County Department of Public Health, and the Department of Health Services.

NPS Director Lauds President Bush's Initiative To Promote Improved Health Through Visiting National Parks

June 19, 2002 (NPS): Grand Canyon National Park to Participate in Entrance Fee-Free Weekend in National Parks, June 22-23, 2002

National Park Service (NPS) Director Fran Mainella applauded the efforts of President Bush's new Healthier US Initiative announced June 12 to promote improved health through the benefits of physical activity and the stress reducing experiences that visiting national parks and participating in park programs provide. As part of the President's Comprehensive Fitness Agenda, the Initiative will include an entrance fee-free weekend on June 22-23, 2002, to all national park sites across the country.

"I am very pleased to join with the President and Interior Secretary Norton in inviting all of America to come out and visit the magnificent natural and cultural resources throughout our country," said Director Mainella. "We share a deep appreciation of the value of national parks and the role they play in the physical fitness and well-being of all Americans. The entrance fee-free weekend will be a wonderful opportunity for our visitors to experience national parks and exercise their minds and bodies while uplifting their spirits."

Grand Canyon National Park is known for it's scenic beauty, in which forces of erosion have exposed an immense variety of formations that illustrate vast periods of geological history. The park encompasses more than 1.2 million acres, is 277 miles long, 10 miles wide in the heart of the canyon, and is a mile deep.

"The President's initiative provides a tremendous opportunity to enjoy one of the most incredible places in the world. The newly opened Greenway trail, as well as other rim and bicycle paths, allow individuals and families to experience the park in a variety of ways," said Park Superintendent Joseph Alston.

There are many options for those visiting Grand Canyon National Park, including interpretive programs, river rafting, hiking along the rim and in the inner canyon, camping, overnight lodging, mule rides, and bus tours. The National Park Service offers a Junior Ranger Program for kids between the ages of 4 and 14 in which they will learn about the park's geology, ecology and history.

The National Park Service, an Interior Department agency, manages the National Park System, which comprises 375 areas covering more than 84 million acres in every state (except Delaware), the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House.

Grand Canyon National Park Investigating Illnesses Reported By River Runners

June 18, 2002 (NPS): Between June 1 and 14, 2002, 59 persons participating in five separate rating trips on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park developed gastrointestinal illness. No new cases of illness on the river have been reported since June 14. Both private and commercial rafting trips have reported passengers with flu-like symptoms consisting of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In most cases the illness is of relatively short duration with recovery within 24 to 48 hours. Reports received by the National Park Service indicate that illnesses began on or about June 1, at approximately river mile 54. To date, no one has been hospitalized and no emergency evacuations from the river have occurred.

The National Park Service is working with the United States Public Health Service, Coconino County Department of Health Service, Arizona State Epidemiology Office, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the cause and source of the illness. Samples have been collected from river trips that have reported illnesses to help identify the illness, and lead to identification of a possible source.

Illnesses with similar symptoms occurred during the summers of 1994 and 2000. As a result of those outbreaks, the National Park Service developed a rapid reporting system that requires commercial river guides to immediately report any illness that occurs in three or more rafting participants. Early reporting assists the National Park Service to respond to emerging outbreaks and to begin to collect information to better understand why and how these illnesses occur, and how best to prevent a cycle of reoccurrence. The National Park Service has received excellent cooperation from the rafting parties involved.

A virus, which is easily passed from person to person, is suspected to be the cause of the illness. The National Park Service continues to stress the importance of good sanitary practices to lessen the chances of contracting the illness. Good personal hygiene, including thorough and frequent hand washing with soap, is necessary. Safe food handling procedures must be used while preparing meals. Water for consumption should always be both filtered, and treated with chlorine or iodine. An alternative method would be to boil the water. Viruses are difficult to filter from water, making disinfection or boiling necessary.

For additional information park visitors can contact Allen Keske, Concessions Specialist at 928/638-7706. Recommended water disinfection procedures for backcountry uses can be found on the park's website at www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/water.htm.

Grand Canyon National Park Invites Public Participation in Revision of Colorado River Management Plan

June 13, 2002 (NPS): Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent, Joseph F. Alston, today announced the Park's intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to update the Colorado River Management Plan (CRMP) for Grand Canyon National Park. The National Park Service is preparing the EIS for the Plan under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

The purpose of this EIS is to update management guidelines for the Colorado River corridor through Grand Canyon National Park. Current guidelines can be found in the 1989 CRMP. A copy of this plan as well as background information and public comments received from past CRMP discussions can be found on the Internet at www.nps.gov/grca/crmp.

Prior to the development of a draft CRMP/EIS, the National Park Service will seek public input to reaffirm previously identified agency and public issues, and to identify any new public issues and concerns. Scoping information will also be used to help narrow and define the significant environmental issues and management alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS. Public input will continue throughout the planning process. The National Park Service (NPS) will actively seek out and consult with all interested members of the public.

The NPS will host at least two series of public meetings to receive comments on the EIS over the next three years in each of the following five cities: Flagstaff, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; Las Vegas, NV; and Denver, CO. The NPS anticipates announcing a public scoping meeting schedule by the end of June. The times and locations of those meetings, along with updated information on the planning process, will be listed on the park's CRMP Web site.

During this process, the NPS will develop and evaluate alternatives to address resource protection issues, potential resource impacts, user capacities, and mitigation measures necessary or desirable to achieve the NPS mission. The NPS will review some key resource issues outside of the park's boundaries that affect the integrity of the Grand Canyon and will consider alternatives that include no-action (the status quo), no motorized use, and varying levels of motorized and non-motorized watercraft use.

Issues to be addressed in the EIS will include, but are not limited to:

• appropriate levels of visitor use consistent with natural and cultural resource protection and preservation mandates;
• allocation of use between commercial and non-commercial groups;
• non-commercial permitting system;
level of motorized versus non-motorized raft use;
• the range of services and opportunities provided to the public; and,
• in consultation with the Hualapai Indian Tribe and other appropriate parties, the continued use of helicopters to transport river passengers from the Colorado River near Whitmore Wash.

Information about this planning effort and how the public can be involved throughout the process will be provided in a newsletter, available on the Internet at www.nps.gov/grca/crmp. The NPS will accept public comment for a period of 60 days beginning on June 13, 2002. Should the public scoping meetings extend beyond the 60-day comment period, the NPS will continue to accept comments for a period of 30 days following the final public meeting. Comments can be submitted by any one of the following ways:

• mail to CRMP Project, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023;
• send by electronic mail to grca_crmp@nps.gov;
• hand-deliver to Grand Canyon National Park; or
• provide at one of the public scoping meetings to be announced.

Completion of the EIS process will fulfill an agreement reached through a negotiated settlement of recent litigation between several organizations and individuals and the federal government. The settlement requires the NPS to complete this EIS by December 31, 2004. The NPS plans to restart the process to review and revise the park's 1988 Backcountry Management Plan subsequent to the completion of the CRMP.

For further information on this planning process, please contact Jeffrey Cross, Director, Grand Canyon Science Center at 928-638-7759.

Editors Note: To be placed on the park's CRMP Newsletter mailing list, please send your request along with your email address to: grca_crmp@nps.gov.

Previous months:

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