National Park Service Requests Public Input on a Telecommunications Plan and Environmental Assessment at Grand Canyon National Park

Information Launch Date: December 2, 2019

Get in touch with: Lily Daniels, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, AZ– The Countrywide Park Company (NPS) is in search of public remark on a proposed Telecommunications Program and Environmental Assessment from Dec. 2, 2019 until eventually midnight on Jan. 6, 2020. 

If accepted, the system would supply a framework and direction for the future design and operation of telecommunications infrastructure that could include telecommunications towers, modest-mobile web sites and fiber optic communications cable in made places of Grand Canyon Countrywide Park. 

Present wireless protection and information network potential within just created areas of Grand Canyon Countrywide Park are insufficient to assist the operations of the NPS and its in-park companions, which contain: concession businesses, non-earnings corporations, tribes, a community faculty and medical clinic, a utility company, other neighborhood and federal law enforcement organizations, inhabitants on the North and South Rims, and a lot more than 6 million yearly site visitors.

The strategy evaluates the impacts of accommodating up to 5 supplemental telecommunications towers and involved infrastructure as properly as the feasible removing or relocation of an present tower, set up of small-cell technology in superior visitor use areas, and the merged use of microwave antennas and fiber optic communications cable to offer the vital inbound links in between the park and the broader wireless network. 

The NPS is not proposing to right acquire telecommunications infrastructure underneath this prepare, and the program is not in response to a distinct software from a telecommunications firm to develop or function this type of infrastructure. The development and operation of any new telecommunications infrastructure developed in accordance with this approach would demand web-site-unique evaluate and acceptance in accordance with present NPS policies. 

The Telecommunication Program and Environmental Assessment is written in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Compliance with the Countrywide Historic Preservation Act and other relevant regulations are also becoming carried out.

Extra info is accessible on the NPS Scheduling, Atmosphere and Public 
Remark website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=70290 Interested events can participate in the pursuing community open up dwelling:

Monday, Dec. 16, 2019
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (MST)
Shrine of the Ages Auditorium
20 S. Entrance Highway
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

A webinar is also scheduled for Monday, Dec. 9 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (MST). For supplemental details on the webinar visit:  https://parkplanning.nps.gov/meetingNotices.cfm?projectID=70290

Public feedback on this arranging effort will be acknowledged for 36 days to accommodate the holiday getaway schedule. Throughout this time, any person or group can post feedback electronically by means of the undertaking web-site which is the chosen approach, at community open up dwelling gatherings, or by way of mail to:

Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park
Attn: Telecommunications Plan
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 

Comments submitted by other implies, this sort of as fax, email, Fb or other social media posts will not be deemed. 

The NPS anticipates building a closing choice on this strategy, referred to as a Getting of No Important Effects, in early 2020.