Contact: Lilly Daniels, 928-638-7958
Grand Canyon, AZ – The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposal to enhance cellular and Internet services and data network capacity within developed areas of Grand Canyon National Park.
These services are currently insufficient to meet the needs of visitors, the NPS, and park partners. Action is needed at this time to address these deficiencies and develop guidance for types and locations of telecommunications infrastructure within the park that minimizes impacts to natural and cultural resources and visitor experiences.
The current proposed action includes accommodating up to five additional telecommunications towers within developed areas on the North and South Rims, the installation of small-cell nodes in high visitor use areas, and the installation of fiber optic communications cable along existing corridors. The proposed action also includes the removal or relocation of existing telecommunications infrastructure.
Public comments on the proposed action will be accepted July 22 until midnight, Aug. 20, 2019(date changed). Additional information is available on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GCTelecommunications.
During this time, any individual or group can submit scoping comments electronically through the PEPC project website, which is the preferred method for submitting comments, in person at public scoping open house events, or by mail.
A virtual open house webinar is also scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 12 to 1 p.m. (MST). For additional information on the webinar, visit: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GCTelecommunications.
| Webinar for Public Scoping | |||
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/06/2019 | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM MST | Webinar |
Please join staff from the National Park Service to learn about and discuss the proposed action to enhance cellular and Internet services within Grand Canyon National Park by allowing some upgrades to and relocation of existing telecommunications infrastructure as well as construction and operation of additional telecommunications towers and other infrastructure within developed areas of the park.
Description:
The purpose of this webinar is to provide information to the public about the proposed action and seek public comment. There will be a formal presentation on the proposed action and the planning process from approximately 12:00-12:30pm, with time following to answer questions from the public.
Meeting Directions/Instructions:
Please join this meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/787867253
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 787-867-253
Superintendent
Grand Canyon National Park
Attn: Telecommunications Plan
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Comments that provide insights about the project purpose and need and the park’s current proposal are particularly helpful. New ideas and proposals are welcome. Following the public comment period, the NPS will analyze and consider all feedback and prepare an environmental assessment (EA), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, to develop and evaluate alternatives.
The NPS will not select an alternative for implementation until after the analysis of the alternatives and their potential impacts has been completed within the EA. There will be a second opportunity for public comment on the EA later this year.
-NPS-
