The Latest News and Current Events ...
The Grand Canyon News!
Archive from May 2002 thru December 2002

December 21, 2002 South Rim Snow!

The snow storm during the night seems to have abated.  Looks like 6-8 inches of snow on the ground here in the S. Rim Village area.  Very beautiful and quiet with all the snow. Almost no tourists right now, but that will change for the holidays.

December 20, 2002 Colorado River flows for 2003!

Experimental releases from Glen Canyon Dam have received environmental clearances and are set to begin January 1, 2003. As part of the experiment, daily high fluctuating releases from Glen Canyon Dam will be implemented from January through March 2003, beginning January 1, 2003 to reduce spawning and recruitment of non-native fish. 

Releases will range between a high of 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to a low of 5,000 cfs each day.  The 20,000 cfs releases will be maintained for about 9 hours each day (from about 11:00 am until about 8:00 pm), while the 5,000 cfs releases will be maintained for about 8 hours (from about 1:00 am until about 9:00 am).  The remainder of the hours will be transition releases where releases are between the daily high and the daily low.  This pattern will be maintained for 7 days a week during the January through March time period.  It should be noted that due to "real-time" power generation considerations and "regulation" to stabilize the power system, actual releases may deviate somewhat from this pattern.

The January through March high fluctuating releases are intended to benefit the endangered humpback chub.  Scientists have recognized that the humpback chub population has been in a general decline since highly fluctuating flows were curtailed in November of 1991.  Those flows helped keep the non-native fish, especially the rainbow and brown trout, in check.  The trout are thought to prey upon and compete with native fish such as the endangered humpback chub.

December 20, 2002 Highway 67 to North Rim closed!

AZ Department of Transportation in Fredonia has finally closed AZ67 for the winter. ADOT's re-opening date is currently May 16 at 7am but ADOT & NPS meet each Spring to discuss when the NPS will allow the highway to re-open.

Contact highway supervisor Don Tait on any questions 928.643.7380

December 20, 2002 Condors Nest will be off limits again!

Two 2 of the California Condors have been hanging out at Plateau Point and that mating behavior has been going on.  Also, this pair has been spending time at the Battleship nest site. 

The butte closures last Spring due to condor nest sites started in early April and lasted until mid June. During this time, both The Battleship and Dana Butte were off limits to any climbing activity.

Condors return to the same areas to nest.  The birds using the nests this year on the Battleship were in that area last year.  They have nested on the Battleship before, though the cave this year was "new."  All nest areas located will be protected with closures, probably.  Talking to the Peregrine Fund condor monitors, all the birds have transmitters on them and are easy to trace, so they know where the nests are.

December 20, 2002 A few inches of snow in North Arizona!

Folks reported 1-3 inches of snow, but snow is in the forecast for the next five days at the Jet Stream dips down across the SW. Expect the chance of snow and cold temperatures. The Low last night was in the singel digits!

December 16, 2002 No Gas at Moqui!

Moqui Gas Station will close for the season after the first of the year... Can you imagine what the remaining station in Tusayan will charge per gallon? Moqui Lodge was also closed all summer and it normally closed after New years.

December 16, 2002 Norwalk Virus renamed Norovirus!
from gcpba

December 05, 2002 Two Separate Falling Fatalities!

Rangers were notified of an overdue hiker on the Bright Angel Trail on the evening of November 28. An investigator interviewed family members and gathered information while a hasty search of the trail was conducted. Additional hasty teams were deployed early the following morning; they were augmented by a park helicopter that searched the area below Plateau Point and north of Indian Gardens on the Tonto Plateau. A spotter on the helicopter located the body about 600 feet below the point. The victim's description matched that of the missing hiker. As rangers began organizing for a recovery operation, dispatch received several reports of a possible fall from the Bright Angel Trail. Rescuers headed down the trail and reached the victim within a few minutes. The person had fallen about 150 feet and suffered fatal injuries. An expanded ICS operation was put into place, with a division supervisor assigned to each incident. Peer counselors were assigned to the family and friends of each of the victims to help them deal with their respective losses and to assist with logistical needs. Rescuers conducted aerial reconnaissance of each site to determine the safest and most efficient way to access, document and extract the bodies. Separate teams were then deployed to document the accident scenes and remove the bodies. Investigations into the causes of the falls are underway.

December 05, 2002 North Rim Road still Open!

The North Rim has seen very little snow so far this winter and is still open to the North Rim. Reportedly the road to Cape Royal is closed. Most roads in the forest should still be okay. Highway 67 will close after the first significant snow. The highway and roads in the forest usually become passable again in early May.

An interesting comment from ADOT is many there believe it's almost cheaper to keep AZ67 open year round then to bust open and perform repairs each Spring.  Only a small portion of the road from Jacob Lake to the North Rim is NPS yet NPS controls when the entire AZ67 opens.

To discuss AZ67 highway info/snow call ADOT in Fredonia at 928-643-7380

December 4, 2002 Burns on the North Rim!

Three inches of snow fell on the park's North Rim this past weekend, creating favorable conditions for the Bright Angel fuels reduction project to continue this week. Fire managers will burn approximately 20 acres of slash piles comprised of dead and fallen materials from the mixed conifer forest. This thinning and burning activity is designed to reduce potential impacts of wildland fire in the North Rim developed area.  No park road closures are anticipated.

November 29, 2002 Desert View Upgrades!

The Park Service is redoing the road and building some new facilities. I thought we were working to move the visitor service outside the parks, but apparently not at Grand Canyon!

November 29, 2002 Two Condors killed in the North Kaibab Forest!

One was killed the end of August and now a second was killed in October. The details were not released by the Peregrine Fund, but reportedly they were both shot by yahoos. A reward of $21,000 is being offered for information relating to the arrest of the killers. A representative is asking that the persons responsible step forward and do the right thing by turning themselves in.

November 26, 2002 Grand Canyon Trust Sues Gail Norton!
from the Arizona Sun
The Grand Canyon Trust said it will sue Interior Secretary Gail Norton and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for violating the Endangered Species Act regarding its humpback chub plan.

Environmentalists claim the federal government caved to "powerful special interests" when it crafted a humpback recovery plan that overlooks a dramatic decline in fish numbers. The plan also ignores Glen Canyon Dam's damaging impact on river temperatures and sediment flows, said Earthjustice and the Trust.

"The Grand Canyon is in trouble," said Geoff Barnard, president of Grand Canyon Trust. "Today we are launching a major effort to save Grand Canyon by restoring the health of the Colorado River."

The lawsuit over the chub is likely to be the first of many from the Flagstaff-based group, which rarely engages in legal disputes, regarding the environmental health of Grand Canyon, said Barnard.

The chub, along with already extinct native fish species such as the bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker once thrived in the warm, muddy river. The strange-looking fish with a small head and snout has a streamlined olive-gray body streaked with silver sides. Its hump allows it to traverse strong rapids. It can grow up to 18 inches and can weigh more than 2 pounds.

Glen Canyon Dam has sucked sediment from the river and its clear, cold releases sent water temperatures plummeting. The fish are indicators of the precarious health of the Colorado River and Grand Canyon, say environmentalists.

The fish in the river are really a bellwether for the whole system. There were eight native fish, four are gone. A fifth, the humpback chub, is down to just 1,100 individuals. It's time for the government to step up and meet its obligations to protect the Grand Canyon and that's what it's all about!

A study of the trout fishery and its impact on the chub is also being urged by environmentalists.

Science has show in recent years the steady decline of the resources of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. These are cumulative effects of Glen Canyon Dam. What was once a warm, muddy river is now a cold, clear river. The erosion of the beaches, the vegetation changes due to the lack of flooding, all these things are indicative of a river that has changed and is in declining ecological health.

November 20, 2002 Norwalk virus identified in the Colorado River!

Yuck! The popular nasty Norwalk virus has been identified in the finished product at the sewage treatment plant at Glen Canyon Dam! The plant, operated by the Bureau of Reclamation serves the visitor center Glen Canyon Dam. The sewage is discharged directly into the river.

Samples also found the virus in the Colorado River water at Lees Ferry. And, in addition it was found in outhouses along the river! Symptoms include severe vomiting as well as other flu-like symptoms. One guy said he could not even stand up without help.

Over the summer there were over 130 cases reported by hikers and river runners. This is the same nasty virus that has caused hundreds of people to become sick on the popular Alaska cruises up the inside passage and in the Caribbean. One of Princess Cruises flagships is in dock for a 10 day sanitation because apparently this virus is hard to get rid of.

Moral of the story? Wash your hands, and don't drink the water!

November 20, 2002 No snow or rain from the big storm!

A big storm dumped on Tahoe and points in Utah and Colorado, but missed Northern Arizona entirely! The Canyon only got .1 inches. A typical year wil bring a good snow before Thanksgiving!

November 9, 2002 Suicide near Mather Point!

Rangers discovered an abandoned vehicle at Mather Point. A search of the area revealed a pile of clothing on a small rock pinnacle just beyond the safety rail at the overlook. A searcher on the rim located what appeared to be a body several hundred feet below the location of the clothing, subsequently confirmed by observers in a park helicopter. Rangers Greg Moore and Bonnie Taylor rappelled to the scene for investigation and recovery. The body was removed by a helicopter long-line operation that involved NPS employees from several park divisions and was conducted during a winter storm. The victim has been tentatively identified as a 35-year-old male from San Diego who had a history of mental problems.

November 5, 2002 Glen canyon Update and River Flows!
from nrrfw
Drought conditions persist in the Colorado River basin. The basin has
received some drought relief during the months of September and October,
however. Basinwide precipitation in September, 2002 was 185 percent of
average. This was the first month with above average precipitation in
over a year. Precipitation in October was 110 percent of average. These
autumn rain storms have dampened soils in the basin and have erased some
of the soil moisture deficit caused by the drought. This is important
for next spring's snowmelt runoff. Soil moisture deficits reduce runoff
efficiency causing greater amounts of water to be lost to the soil.

Water year 2002 will be remembered as one of the driest years on record
in the Colorado River basin. Unregulated inflow to Lake Powell in water
year 2002 was only 3.06 million acre-feet or 25 percent of the 30 year
average. This is the lowest unregulated inflow ever recorded since the
completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. The previous low occurred in 1977
when inflow to Lake Powell was 3.66 million acre-feet.

Inflow to Lake Powell continues to be significantly below average.
Unregulated inflow into Lake Powell in September, 2002 was 58 percent of
average, and unregulated inflow in October was 309,000 acre-feet or 56
percent of average. Inflow as of November 4, 2002 is about 7,500 cfs.
Average inflow in early November is generally about 10,000 cfs. Inflow
to Lake Powell is expected to remain below average through the fall and
winter. Snowpack in the Colorado River basin is 90 percent of average as
of November 5, 2002. It should be noted that early season snowpack
figures are usually not indicative of runoff volumes the following
spring.

On April 24, 2002, members of the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Work
Group (AMWG) recommended to the Secretary of the Interior that a
two-year experimental flow test be made from Glen Canyon Dam beginning
in water year 2003. The recommendation addressed the decline of two key
resources in the Grand Canyon: sediment and population viability of
endangered humpback chub. Reclamation, the National Park Service, and
the United States Geological Survey have jointly prepared an
Environmental Assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy
Act to document the impacts of these proposed experimental flows. The EA
can be found at: http://www.uc.usbr.gov/envdocs/ea/gc/gc_release.html

A total of 476,000 acre-feet will be released from Glen Canyon Dam
during November, 2002, which is an average of 8,000 cfs. On Mondays
through Fridays in November, daily fluctuations will likely vary between
a low of about 5,000 cfs (during late evening and early morning off-peak
hours) to a high of about 10,000 cfs (during daylight hours and early
evening on-peak hours). On Saturdays during November, releases will
likely vary between a low of about 5,000 cfs during off-peak hours, to a
high of about 9,500 cfs during on-peak hours. On Sundays, releases will
likely vary between a low of about 5,000 cfs during off-peak hours to a
high of about 8,000 cfs during on-peak hours.

Releases in December, 2002 will likely be higher than November. Unless
there is a very high flow event on the Paria River during November (in
which case the December volume would be 492,000 acre-feet), the release
volume in December will be 600,000 acre-feet.

Drier than average conditions have now prevailed for the past three
years in the Colorado River basin. Total unregulated inflow into Lake
Powell in water year 2000 and 2001 was 62 and 59 percent of average,
respectively and only 25 percent of average in 2002. These low inflows
have reduced water storage in Lake Powell. The current elevation of Lake
Powell is 3,624.4 feet (75.6 feet from full pool). Current storage is
approximately 14.2 million acre-feet (58 percent of capacity). The water
surface elevation of Lake Powell will likely continue to decline for the
remainder of this year. The current projection shows that the water
surface elevation of Lake Powell will be about 3621 feet (79 feet below
full pool) on January 1, 2003. Hydrologic conditions often change,
however, and the actual end-of-year elevation of Lake Powell will
depend, in large part, on weather conditions in the Colorado River basin
from now through the end of the year.

Because of the draw down condition of Lake Powell, releases from Lake
Powell in water year 2003 are being scheduled to meet the minimum
objective release of 8.23 million acre-feet. This is consistent with the
requirements of the 1970 Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range Operation
of Colorado River Reservoirs.
This release courtesy Tom Ryan

November 05, 2002 Renovation of New Backcountry Office?

The park is seeking comments from the public on a proposed consolidation of the river permits office and Backcountry Office at the Maswik Transportation Center. If the preferred alternative is chosen the Center will be renovated. (I wonder what the other alternatives are?) The news release from the park states that the consolidation "would increase the efficiency of park operations and provide enhanced service to park visitors."

The proposed renovation would remodel the existing building, in other words, within the existing roofline and supporting structure. The remodeled facility would include "a lobby, sales area, restrooms, offices and storage." Copies of the EA may be requested in writing to: Superintendent, Grand Canyon NP, Attn: Sara White, Compliance Officer, Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 or on-line at: www.nps.gov/grca/compliance

October 30, 2002 Rescue on Nankoweap!

On October 26, 2002 Margaret Evans, 61, sustained a possible ankle fracture while hiking on the remote Nankoweap Trail. The Grand Canyon Field Institute guide who was with her provided immediate care and used a satellite telephone to contact the park. Due to the extreme exposure of the trail and lack of a safe helispot nearby, rangers decided to employ a short-haul rescue procedure to extract her. NPS Helicopter 210 was used to short-haul her to a staging helispot two miles away.

October 29, 2002 Public Comment Pours Into Park! Send yours!
from GCPBA
Colorado River Management Plan planners have received, to date, approximately 8,314 public comment letters. Of that
number, 1,339 had come via US Mail and 6,975 via email. Park staffers anticipate a further influx of comments before the November 1, 2002 deadline for comment passes.

More than 1,000 people attended the seven CRMP scoping meetings held country-wide this summer and fall. Participants were invited to comment on the issues during the meetings. Those totals do not include the numerous comments received during the scoping meetings as they haven't been completely counted yet.

The contractor, SWCA, that Grand Canyon National Park recently chose to do the forth coming Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), now has all the comments from the scoping meetings and has been working with GCNP planners to decide how to encode comments collected at the meetings, and enter them (along with the comments from the letters) into a database, which will allow faster analysis of the comments.

Thanks to all of you who helped with getting the word out to folks so we could have such a large amount of public comments and involvement during the scoping period!

Don't let your opinion be left out of the debate! Once again, the scoping period ends this Friday, November 1, 2002.

Comments and opinions are sought on the following topics (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.
* The non-commercial permitting system
* The level of motorized versus non-motorized raft use.
* The range of services and opportunities provided to the public.
* 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.

Additionally, the River Permits office is seeking comments on:

1. What do you like about the current waitlist and permit system? Why?
2. What changes to the current system would you like considered? Why?
3. Do you have suggestions for a different system that could work here, what are they, and why?
4. If a new system is implemented, what should happen to the people on the current list?
5. Aside from changing the allocation, should something else be done to limit the overall length of the wait list, and if yes, what?
6. To what extent is repeat river use at Grand Canyon appropriate?
7. How far before launch should start dates be reserved?
8. What other permit system issues would you like to see addressed?

Send your comments to:

CRMP Project
Box 129
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

or you may mail e-mail them to: grca_crmp@nps.gov
(important—don't forget the underscore between "grca" and "crmp"!)

Please submit email comments as a text file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Also include your name, email address, and mailing address in your message.

October 22, 2002 New Bridge near Hoover Dam!?

The governors of Nevada and Arizona joined five federal lawmakers at Hoover Dam on Monday to announce the start of construction on a bridge bypass project that will ease congestion and safety concerns at the dam.
The $231 million project -- not yet fully funded -- would create a 2,000-foot bridge over the Colorado River just south of the dam. It is expected to end traffic delays along U.S. Highway 93, the winding two-lane road that links Las Vegas and Phoenix.

An estimated 13,000 cars and trucks cross Hoover Dam daily. Authorities tightened security around it immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and vehicles are still stopped at checkpoints on either side of the dam.

Preparations for bypass construction began last week. Crews could begin building the four-lane bridge as soon as next year, but the project likely will not be completed until 2007.

The steel and concrete arch will span the Colorado River about 1,500 feet downriver from Hoover Dam. About two miles of highway will be added on either side of the dam to reach the bridge. Construction of the Arizona highway approach is set to begin in January.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, tractor-trailers, full-sized buses and large campers traveling the main route between Las Vegas and Phoenix have been banned from the dam and must take a longer route through Laughlin, Nev., and Bullhead City.

Officials said about 2,000 vehicles per day have made the 80-mile detour, costing the trucking industry about $30 million per year in fuel and other costs.

Hoover Dam forms Lake Mead, the nation's largest man-made reservoir. It also supplies electricity to a wide area of the Southwest. Completed in 1935, the dam is one of southern Nevada's most popular attractions.

The first construction stage involves moving a set of 230,000-volt power lines and two electricity towers now leaning over the river where the bridge is to be built.

October 20, 2002 Express Train from Williams?

Grand Canyon Railway kicked around this idea but the NPS has put the kabosh on it! The NPS says it does not fit in with their transit systems's objectives. The transit report includes five options and this is not one of them, and apparently can not be considered!

October 20, 2002 Condor Update!

Number 186, one of the most troublesome of the Condors, due to his interaction with humans, was found dead in the Kaibab National Forest. The exact location and cause of death has not been released. In the meantime, four more of the big birds were released, bringing the total in the area to 31.

October 20, 2002 James Peshlakai featured in Hillerman's new book!

Peshlakai, well known on the the SOuth Rim, operates the Grand Canyon Native American Art Show and Dances in Tuysayan to raise money for his non-profit foundation. He also entertains and does storytelling at the Quality Inn. Hillerman;s new book is call "The Wailing Wind" and is available in hardback and at the library.

October 15, 2002 McCain upset over Airplane Noise!

Congress passed the National Park Overflights Act in 1987, but it has not lead to a quieter Grand Canyon!

The Federal Aviation Admin-istration and National Park Service were directed to restore "natural quiet" by taking action to place limitations on air tours. Sen. John McCain pushed hard for the legislation and had strong words about Grand Canyon overflights.

"I frankly don’t care who is responsible," McCain was quoted as saying in an Associated Press story. "What I care about is that we haven’t reached our goal 15 years after it was established as law. What I want to know is when and how we will reach final resolution. We owe our constituents and the American people better service on this than they’ve been getting,"

Fifteen years later, and the same problems with overflights still exist.

Natural quiet is defined as half the park being quiet three-fourths of the time during daylight hours. Those guidelines are supposed to be reached by 2008. The FAA reports that 19 percent of the park meets those levels now.

Politicians with an interest in the situation believe quiet plane and helicopter technology rules should be adopted. But things have been delayed several times, leading the Grand Canyon Trust’s Tom Robinson to say "we shouldn’t have to rely on litigation to move this process."

October 14, 2002 North Rim is closed!

Concession and lodging activities on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon closed for the season today, and the small city that is North Rim has begun to disappear into the autumn sunset.

Only a few people will stay over the winter at the North Rim. During the winter, the concessionaire, Xanterra, leaves four caretakers on site. Their job is upkeep on the Grand Canyon Lodge and its associated cabins. The remainder of the people are park staff, including three husband-wife teams, who contribute to the maintenance and administration of the Park Service's holdings on the rim.

The park doesn't officially close until the first hard snow, but with the lodge closed, the park is only open for day use.

And even in winter, the park employees staying over aren't always alone. Snowshoers and cross-country skiers are allowed to camp at the park's primitive campsites, if they can make it in there.

October 10, 2002 GCHBA Meeting at the South Rim!

The Grand Canyon Hikers and Backpackers Association is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am on Sunday, October the 20th in the Rec Center at the South Rim. The Rec Center is located on the north side of Albright Road a little west of the Albright Center. (Look for a yellow road sign saying 'Dead End')

October 10, 2002 North Rim facilities to close October 14!

On October 14 North Rim accommodations, service station and related services will be shut down for the winter season. The N. Rim Backcountry office will remain open through Oct. 31. The N. Rim campground will be open on a limited basis until Rt. 67 is closed for the winter season. Hwy. 67 will remain open through Nov. 15 and then it will be closed for the winter after Nov. 15 once the major snow storms begin. N. Rim services will re-open for next years season on May 15, 2003.

October 10, 2002 Pipeline from Jackass Canyon to Reservation!

Sen. Kyl of AZ is sponsoring new legislation to allow a pipeline going down Jackass Canyon to the Colorado at Badger Rapids in Grand Canyon National Park to pipe water to Black Mesa. The Bureau of Reclamation is preparing the paper work. Rob Smith of the Sierra Club is quoted as calling this an "extraordinary invasion." Kyl apparently added this amendment to current legislation quietly with NO public hearing. Not at all a very bright guy. (Later the ammendment was removed)

October 01, 2002 First snow in the San Francisco Peaks!

Up to 2 inches fell in the higher elevations. The Snow Bowl Ski Area is praying that this year's El Nino will bring more precipitation and end the drought.

October 02, 2002 Colorado River Flows

Water year 2002 is now over, and with respect to hydrology, it will be remembered as one of the driest years on record in the Colorado River basin. Unregulated inflow to Lake Powell in water year 2002 was only 3.06 million acre-feet or 25 percent of the 30 year average. This is the lowest unregulated inflow ever recorded since the completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. The previous low occurred in 1977 when inflow to Lake Powell was 3.66 million acre-feet.

The Colorado River basin has received some drought relief in September, however. Numerous rainstorms (and some high elevation snow) have reached all areas in the basin. Streamflows, while still generally below average, have increased from the extremely low levels seen in early September. More importantly, these rains have dampened soils in the basin and have erased some of the soil moisture deficit caused by the drought. This is important for next spring's snowmelt runoff. Soil moisture deficits reduce runoff efficiency causing greater amounts of water to be lost to the soil.

September 17, 2002 Ranger hurt in fall!

On September 17, ranger Chuck Sypher fell approximately 50 feet while hiking in a remote area of the park while on backcountry patrol. Sypher was on the fourth day of a seven day backcountry patrol of the Kanab Creek drainage in a remote western part of the park. Ranger Michael Grate and a volunteer accompanied him. Grate was able to summon help via satellite phone. Initial reports indicated that Sypher had sustained serious head injuries. Two ranger/paramedics responded on the park helicopter. An Arizona DPS rescue helicopter and a Classic Lifeguard air ambulance were also dispatched. Rangers reached Sypher's location at the bottom of a narrow canyon and found him conscious, alert and in stable condition. He was extracted from the canyon via helicopter short-haul, then transferred to the Classic Lifeguard helicopter and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center.

Sypher miraculously sustained only lacerations, bruises and head wounds and was released from the hospital the following day. There were no fractures or internal injuries. Rangers were able to respond quickly due to mandatory requirements that satellite communications be employed on backcountry patrols and that rangers on all highly technical patrols be accompanied by partners.

September 16, 2002 Sick hiker evacuated from Boucher!

Park dispatch received a report of a backpacker with a medical emergency on the Boucher Trail just before midnight on September 16. The report was received via satellite telephone from Sally Underwood, a guide for the Grand Canyon Field Institute. Underwood reported that one of her clients, a 45-year-old woman, was vomiting profusely and actively seizing and unconscious. Underwood's group had started hiking that morning and had camped at White's Butte Saddle, about nine miles from the trailhead.

Due to clear skies, calm air, a bright moon and the relative flatness of the terrain at their location, the park asked an Arizona DPS rescue unit to consider responding. DPS dispatched a Bell 407 with night vision capability. The pilot was able to locate the camp with assistance from members of the group, who employed flashlights and headlamps to delineate the helispot. The pilot had to abort his approach and postpone the mission, though, due to lack of contrast visibility in his night vision goggles.

The helicopter flew back in at daybreak, picked up the woman, and took her to Flagstaff Medical Center, During the six intervening hours, Underwood, a veterinarian, cared for the woman, keeping her airway open and maintaining her body temperature. The woman was diagnosed as suffering from hyponatremia and is expected to fully recover. Hyponatremia is caused when there is an abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood. Too little sodium can cause cells to malfunction, and extremely low sodium can be fatal.

August 30, 2002 Road Construction on State Route 64

Roadway construction work on State Route (SR) 64 north of Williams will break for the Labor Day holiday, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Crews will break for the holiday at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. Work will resume at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, 2002.

Work on SR 64 is being completed in two segments. The first segment consists of work on the streets in Tusayan. The Tusayan segment begins at milepost 233 and ends at MP 237, which is just south of the Grand Canyon National Park boundary.

Paving work in Tusayan will occur between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Construction work on the Tusayan segment is expected to be complete by Sept. 6, 2002.

The second segment consists of work from Williams to Tusayan. This segment starts at MP 185.5, near the intersection of Interstate 40 and SR 64 in Williams, and extends north to MP 233.

August 19, 2002 Flight Noise Restrictions Upheld in Court!

A federal court delivered good news Friday for Grand Canyon National Park visitors who prefer to take in spectacular scenery without the buzz of low-flying scenic tour aircraft. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to write new rules to reduce noise from tourist airplanes and helicopters and follow a 1987 congressional mandate to restore "natural quiet" to the Grand Canyon.

The ruling elated environmentalists, who argued that current FAA flight regulations and capping flights to 88,000 per year did not go far enough to restore the serenity of the national park. "This is a strong victory for the Grand Canyon and for natural quiet," said Geoff Barnard, president of Flagstaff-based Grand Canyon Trust, one of six conservation groups who intervened in the case.

The Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society and the National Parks Conservation Association also were involved.

The court's decision came two days before the 15th anniversary of the signing of the National Park Overflight Act, sponsored by U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. The law requires the "substantial restoration of natural quiet" in the park by 2008.

August 19, 2002 Restrictions still in Effect in North Kaibab!

While most Arizona national forests have reopened to the public and lifted all fire restrictions, the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest continues to have restrictions in place because of the fire danger in the area. "We simply have not had the amount of rain that many other places have had," said North Kaibab District Ranger Jill Leonard. "The fire danger here is still very high, and we do not feel comfortable lifting restrictions until that danger decreases."

On the North Kaibab, which is located just north of Grand Canyon National Park, campfires are only allowed in developed campgrounds. Smoking is prohibited except within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in developed recreation sites. Power saw use by the public is prohibited, and the issuance of fuelwood permits will be delayed until the restrictions are lifted.

"With hunting season right around the corner, we know people will be out in the woods," Leonard said. "We want people to enjoy the forest safely, and that means no fires or smoking while on the North Kaibab Ranger District." Forest officials will continue to monitor weather and fuel conditions daily to determine the appropriate time to lift restrictions on the North Kaibab Ranger District. Please call the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center at 928-643-7298.

August 19, 2002 Yikes, Mountain Pine Beetle Infestation?
from Douglas L. Parker
Our aerial detection surveys this summer, we're finding heavy tree losses throughout Arizona and New Mexico. We've been expecting a major bark beetle problem to develop in the region when droughty conditions returned to the Southwest, and it appears we're just of the beginning of an outbreak cycle. The area that concerns me the most is the mountain pine beetle (MPB)in ponderosa pine on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. I published an IPM Guide on the MPB on the Kaibab Plateau in 1980 and I stated that an outbreak would eventually occur. The last major outbreak in this area was from 1916-1926. There have been a couple in minor infestations since 1926, but they didn't cause much tree mortality. So, over the past 75 years, the ponderosa pine stands on the Park have become increasingly more susceptible to attack and the next outbreak could be very nasty indeed. I believe almost all of the trees around the lodge and facilities on the North Rim will be killed when the next outbreak develops.

I have not been to the North Rim for many years and I have no information that a MPB oubreak has begun, but I encourage you alert your folks in the Park of the possibility and have them keep a close watch out for tree mortality. If a MPB outbreak starts, they will need to take quick action if they have any hope of saving trees. I don't know when the next outbreak will occur, but I can tell you that it is 100% certain that one will occur. With the current drought, now is a good time to be vigilant and expect the worst.

Douglas L. Parker
Forestry/Forest Health
505-842-3280
333 Broadway Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
dlparker01@fs.fed.us

August 13, 2002 River fatality at Havasu Creek!
from rrfw
Sabra Jones, a 44 years old from Gallup, New Mexico, died on the afternoon of August 12, 2002, of injuries sustained in a 25-foot fall along Havasu Creek, about three miles from its confluence with the Colorado River.

At 3:00pm on August 12, the National Park Service received a satellite telephone call reporting that someone had fallen in the Havasu Creek area. National Park Service rangers responded by helicopter to the site, a remote area in the inner portion of the Grand Canyon in a side canyon of the Colorado River. First bystanders and then responding rangers provided emergency medical assistance, however, Jones died at the scene.

Ms. Jones was a crew member on a commercial river trip conducted by Tour West, INC., one of sixteen outfitters that provide raft trips on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. The Havasu Creek area is a popular attraction on the Colorado River trips, known for its blue-green water and options for hiking and exploring. The National Park Service and Coconino County Sheriff's Office are conducting an investigation. In the last 5 years, there have been seven river concessions related fatalities in Grand Canyon National Park.

Augsut 09, 2002 South Rim Rooms go begging!

Mostly due to Europeans and Asians not flying to America because it is too dangerous visitation is down this year. Rooms are available every day through the end of the year. A reservationist Thursday said five of the park's six lodges are available tonight. At the Grand Canyon, where as many as 150 of 907 in-park rooms remain unreserved for some days in August, 30% of summer bookings traditionally come from outside the USA. Grand Canyon National Park. Yavapai Lodge and Maswik Lodge have rooms open every day through the end of the year. Bright Angel Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge and Kachina Lodge, all on the Canyon rim, have rooms Aug. 24-30.

August 06, 2002 Glen Canyon Dam Releases
from RRFW

Releases from Glen Canyon Dam in August will be very similar to July. A total of 893,000 acre-feet will be released from Glen Canyon Dam during August 2002. On Mondays through Fridays in August, daily fluctuations due to load following will likely vary between a low of about 10,000 cfs (during late evening and early morning off-peak hours) to a high of about 18,000 cfs (during late afternoon and early evening on-peak hours). On Saturdays during this period, releases will likely vary between a low of about 10,000 cfs during off-peak hours, to a high of about 16,500 cfs during on-peak hours. On Sundays, releases will
likely vary between a low of about 10,000 cfs during off-peak hours to a high of about 15,000 cfs during on-peak hours.

September releases will be much lower than August. Total releases in September, 2002 will be 480,000 acre-feet, which averages out to 8,000 cfs.

Water year 2002 continues to be an extremely dry year in the Colorado River Basin. The April through July unregulated inflow to Lake Powell during 2002 was only 1.11 million acre-feet. This is only 14 percent of average. This is the lowest unregulated inflow ever recorded since the completion of Glen Canyon Dam. The previous low occurred in 1977, when April through July inflow to Lake Powell was only 1.28 million acre-feet.

Observed inflow into Lake Powell is currently 2,500 cfs (August 6, 2002). The historic average inflow into Lake Powell in early August is about 12,000 cfs.

Drier than average conditions have now prevailed for the past three years in the Colorado River basin. Both water years 2000 and 2001 were below average inflow years. Total unregulated inflow into Lake Powell in water year 2000 was 62 percent of average, while water year 2001 registered inflow at 59 percent of average.

Three consecutive years of below average hydrology have reduced water storage in Lake Powell. The current elevation of Lake Powell is 3,633 feet (67 feet from full pool). Current storage is approximately 15.2 million acre-feet (62 percent of capacity). The water surface elevation of Lake Powell will continue to decline for the remainder of this year.

August 05, 2002 GCPBA Offers a Simple Way to Gather Data
from gcpba

Management agencies need information if they are going to manage their resources for the enjoyment of future generations. They need to know things like how many people of what type are using the resource; how long have they waited for their experience; what do they expect; was that what they got; was it what they wanted. Using the Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association universal registration system, Grand Canyon National Park can collect that information and use it for making decisions about total use, distribution of allocation, Wilderness management, launch management, fees, trip durations, group sizes, and so on.

If the GCPBA proposal is implemented, every person going on a river trip in Grand Canyon would register on the Internet (or via phone or mail) prior to every trip. The simple and inexpensive registration step would ensure that every person had, on an equal and timely basis, an opportunity to experience a float trip through the Grand Canyon while protecting the resource. Not only that, but the Park Service would have actual data on which to base future management decisions, something they are required to have.

In the current round of public meetings hosted by Grand Canyon National Park, the GCPBA Plan is the only available fully developed proposal that addresses river management issues. It also provides a method to gather data that the Park can use in making informed decisions about river management.

Read the full proposal at http://www.gcpba.org/access/theplan.php3

August 02, 2002 More people sick on the river!

The National Park Service is currently investigating nine cases of gastrointestinal illness reported on the Colorado River early
this morning. The illnesses were reported by a river guide on a commercial trip camped at Hells Hollow at River Mile 183 near Whitmore Wash. Two of the nine individuals, a 47 year old male and a 16 year old male, were transported to the Grand Canyon Clinic on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park where they were treated and released. The remaining seven passengers who reported symptoms planned to complete the last two days of their eight-day trip.

Passengers reported flu-like symptoms consisting of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms reported this morning are similar. Evidence from stool specimens taken from those affected by the illness in June indicated that a Norwalk-like virus had caused the outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to confirm the illness by genetic sequencing, and should have the results later this summer. Results from initial environmental tests taken in June and an epidemiology study comparing individuals who became sick with individuals who remained healthy are also pending.

August 02, 2002 Pipline almost fixed again!

Crews continue to work on a section of the Transcanyon pipeline approximately 2 1/2 miles north of Phantom Ranch. Repairs to this section of pipeline are expected to be completed by tomorrow ( 8/3). John Beshears, Chief of Maintenance, has indicated that there is a section of pipeline near the entrance of the "Box" on the north side of the river that is suspect and could fail when the line is recharged. If this ocurrs, he believes repairs could be made quickly and still have the pipeline up and running by tomorrow evening. Overnight mule trips to Phantom Ranch resumed operation this morning (8/2). Please remind hikers to bring extra filters and disinfectant along with them.

July 30, 2002 Grand Canyon Wilderness Alliance Formed!
from RRFW
Coalition Urges Public Comment to Protect Wilderness in Grand Canyon:
American Canoe Association, Arizona Wilderness Coalition, Bluewater Network, Friends of the Earth, Living Rivers, National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, Northwest Rafters Association, River Runners for Wilderness, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, The Wilderness Society, U.S. Public
Interest Research Group, Wilderness Watch

Current Colorado River Management Plan fails to protect Wilderness!
The public is invited to participate in the planning process. Scoping comments will be accepted until September 15, and scoping meetings will be held August 1 in Denver, August 6 in Salt Lake City, August 8 in Flagstaff, August 13 in Las Vegas, and August 15 in Phoenix see www.nps.gov/grca/crmp for exact locations

"This is an opportunity for the public to get the Park Service back on its mission of protecting and preserving the best that America has to offer for future generations," said Bill Meadows, president of The Wilderness Society. "Removing motors from the river isn't about closing any group out. Rather, NPS must shift the quality of the experience back to the way it was intended
when President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed it a National Monument."

The Alliance represents over 1 million members and is growing.

OUTFITTER "WELFARE" BILL: IT'S BAAACK

For the 5th straight year, the Outfitters Policy Act is back in Congress. Yesterday, a hearing was held on HR 2386 (same bill as last year). Read it at the Thomas website: http://thomas.loc.gov and type in H 2386 for a link to the Full Display.

This bill affects lands managed by the United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation and the commercial outfitters that use those lands. It gives the outfitters and their patrons a preference over other user groups. It would turn the privilege of a federal recreational use permit into a form of legal property right that the outfitters could trade or sell and can be inherited.

July 29, 2002 Third Waterline Break! Mule trips suspended!

Potable water is available at Phantom. The third line rupture is located approximately 3 1/2 miles north of Phantom. In addition to the full reserve tank at Phantom, there is also the remaining water in 3 1/2 miles of pipeline.

Due to the pipeline break at Phantom Ranch, Xanterra has temporarily suspended the overnight mule trips to Phantom Ranch. The pipeline break has forced the closure of the trail between the boat beach and the Ranch. Pedestrian traffic has been rerouted through the campground. However, the mules can not safely use the bridges that the route requires. Until the pipeline work is completed and the trail re-opened, the mules are unable to access the ranch.

July 29, 2002 Split Recreational Allocation 50/50 for River Trips!
from gcpba
The Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association proposes a plan to implement a river management environment which fosters the ability for all to obtain, on an equal and timely basis, an opportunity to experience a float trip through the Grand Canyon while protecting the resource.

A benchmark of any new plan would be to eliminate the current waiting list system for private trip leaders, replacing it with an access system that affords a variety of opportunities to secure a launch permit in a reasonable time frame.

• Our plan recognizes a commercial sector and a private sector, each with unique characteristics that are addressed in separate ways, where necessary, and in the same way where possible. The plan greatly increases private launch opportunities by establishing a 50/50 split of user -day allocation. The plan is easy to administer, flexible to use, and above all, it creates equitable distribution of access opportunity.

• The number of daily launches is limited and spread out throughout the year. Each sector has daily launches proportional to its yearly allocation. The total allocation in user -days, counting all staff, attendees, and each exchange passenger, is to be determined by the NPS.

• A permit holder may conduct a trip of any duration not to exceed a maximum trip length seasonally determined by the NPS, and group size that uses fewer than a set total number of user -days. Therefore, commercial trips and private trips can be formed with group sizes and trip durations much the same as they are now, but with more flexibility and less administrative involvement. There is no limit to the number of times that people may repeat the river trip experience.

• In order to protect, preserve and restore the resource, and to maintain opportunities for a quality experience, seasonal variations of group size and trip duration are designated. Motor use is prohibited during some times in each season. Helicopter exchanges of passengers within the Canyon are not allowed. Other existing environmental protection regulations are maintained.

A National Park Service (NPS) or management contractor computer maintains a registration/reservation calendar, publicly on the Internet, for people who want to organize their own trips. The Web site displays a great deal of information, with links to more information, particularly about research or administrative uses. A person can schedule a known and guaranteed launch date, of their choice, by paying trip fees and identifying some of the trip participants at the time of reserving the launch. Concessions contractors reserve trips by negotiating a launch schedule with the NPS. Like private permit holders, the contractors must also pay fees in advance. However, they are not required to identify passengers in advance of the launch unless the trip is scheduled too far in the future, in which case they must do as the non -commercial boaters do. A portion of the identified passengers must attend the trip or the trip is canceled†for both private and commercial.

The NPS computer will measure the waiting time for every individual, including guides, volunteers, observers, and staff, between registering with the NPS and going on a river trip. The information collected about waiting -time is useful for a number aspects of management planning, and especially important in determining the effectiveness any implemented system. The value of the data is dependent on every river user registering on the NPS web site prior to every trip they attend.

Go to : http://www.gcpba.org/access/theplan.php3 to read more about this proposal

July 25, 2002 Pipeline breaks a second time!

Two consecutive ruptures of the trans-canyon water line The trans canyon waterline has been inoperable since last Sunday the 21st, and will remain out of service for at least another three days. No water is pumped to the South Rim. Fortunately, reserve tanks were topped off before the breaks occurred.

Last Sunday night, July 21, the trans-canyon pipeline experienced the first break. Repairs were quickly and efficiently accomplished, and the pipeline was scheduled to be operational Wednesday. When technicians attempted to pressurize the pipeline, a second rupture in the Phantom Ranch area immediately occurred.

This break is a little more complex than the first as high voltage electrical power lines for Phantom Ranch run alongside the pipeline, in the same trench. Phantom Ranch will experience short power outages while the cable is exposed, spliced, and rerouted to allow pipeline repairs to commence.

Because of the proximity of the line break to Phantom, water reserve there is limited to 5,000 gallons. Conservation practices are in place. Water cubies are presently being flown in on a space available basis. If need becomes more critical designated flights will be arranged to ferry drinking water to the Ranch.

July 24, 2002 GCHBA Service Project at Indian Gardens!

GCHBA will be returning to Indian Garden this fall. This is a chance to take out any frustrations you may be harboring on berry bushes. We will be working for the Grand Canyon Re-Veg team.

The project begins with a hike down to Indian Garden the afternoon of Sunday, October 20th. Work days will be Monday and Tuesday. You can either hike out Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, October 23rd. The group will be limited to ten volunteers. There are currently four spaces still available.

If you are interested contact me by email coltrin1@cox.net
or phone (520) 624-1831.
Mike Coltrin

July 23, 2002 American Whitewater Grand Canyon Survey
from gcpba

Grand Canyon Web Survey!
Please read this entire introduction before completing the survey.

This is an exciting time in the history of Grand Canyon River Management. Through our paddling community's successful lawsuit http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/348/
we were able to inspire the Park Service to reopen the planning process for the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.

Now, this summer, we have a unique opportunity to work cooperatively with the Park, conservation community, outfitters, and recreationists to plan creatively for the future to improve river management on the Grand Canyon.

While our staff and board have many strong ideas about how the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon should be managed in the future, we want to take the pulse of our membership and other interested individuals in some of the more controversial aspects of the planning process. Thus, we need your help representing your interests in the Grand Canyon.

There are no "right" answers to the survey questions. We simply want your honest gut-felt responses on how the Grand Canyon should be managed. The survey should only take 3-5 minutes to complete, and your answers will help us as we work with the park.

This questionnaire will run thru August 1. We are asking the boating public to pass the word about it. If you have friends that are interested in Grand Canyon river management issues, please refer them to this site. The more responses we get the more useful our results will be.

We will publish the results of this study in September 2002 on our website along with further developments in our quest to work with the Park Service to improve access and protect the "Grand experience" while also protecting the natural ecosystems and heritage sites in the Canyon.

Complete the Survey at http://www.americanwhitewater.org/gcsurvey/

July 23, 2002 - Lost in the Wilderness of Wilderness?
from RRFW

Are you one of the many confused about whether Grand Canyon is a Wilderness Area or not? The Grand Canyon (including the river) is officially a proposed "potential" Wilderness. All categories of Wilderness , whether potential, proposed/study, or recommended, are to be managed the same as officially designated Wilderness areas, according to law and policy, until Congress designates them Wilderness.

This makes sense-the intent was while an area is being considered, it has full protection, making sure the very characteristics that qualified it in the first place aren't degraded (so it will still qualify). Any condition that might prevent its eventual designation must be eliminated. "The reason it is proposed as potential wilderness is due to the non-conforming motorized use, something that was to be phased out by 1985", says Kim Crumbo, long time Grand Canyon wilderness advocate, " NPS Policy requires the agency to make every effort to eliminate nonconforming uses in "potential" wilderness".

The 1980 Colorado River Management Plan would have done just that, had it been adopted. It was 10 years in the making. The public wanted it designated wilderness and wanted the motors gone. So what happened? It was discarded in favor of a very different, hastily created plan after Congress adopted Senator Hatch's rider to an Interior Appropriations bill. This rider barred the elimination of motors only for the fiscal year, but it changed the direction of the Park Service in Grand Canyon for the next 25 years and without your help, into the foreseeable future. For a complete and very interesting story of the history of Senator Hatch and his involvement with Grand Canyon planning, please see "Motorized Rafting-An Illegitimate Industry?" by Byron Hayes at www.rrfw.org

While nearly all non-commercial trips travel as primitive, wilderness-compliant trips, most concessions trips do not. Wilderness policy applies not just to motorized watercraft, but to the range of support services available, group sizes, trip length, helicopter use, and type of activities offered.

River Runners For Wilderness encourages you to take a minute and write another comment to Grand Canyon National Park planners during this open time of public comment for the Colorado River Management Plan review. Tell the Park how much Wilderness means to you. Let them know they should hold fast to America's wilderness policies, and that National Park wilderness policies should apply to all the Colorado River's visitors.

Send comments or make them in person at one of the 4 scoping sessions coming to a city near you in early August. For more information on these sessions, visit www.nps.gov/grca/crmp. What? The meetings are not near you? Can't attend because you work swing shift? Not to worry! To comment by mail: CRMP Team, Grand Canyon National Park, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, or by email: grca_crmp@nps.gov as a text file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Don't forget to include your name, email address, and mailing address in your message.

July 18, 2002 Fire restrictions lifted! Trails open again!

We've only had .2 of an inch - but they are lifting the restrictions. The moisture hasn't got more than 1/2 inch into the dirt. Trees still dry...but it is a bit cooler. Only 101 for the high at the Ranch.
latest weather report
GRAND CANYON AIRPORT 6606: 52 / 83 / 0.01
GRAND CANYON NORTH RIM 8400: 48 / 78 / 0.01
GRAND CANYON PHANTOM 2530: 76 / 101 / 0.00
GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM 6785: 50 / 83 / Trace

from nps
Recent rains within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park have reduced the threat of wildland fires significantly. Fuel moisture levels, monitored at various locations throughout the park since early spring, have increased substantially. Fire danger indices, which indicate the severity of wildland fire danger, have decreased. Long-range weather forecasts call for the monsoon pattern to continue. Based on these criteria, Park Superintendent Joseph Alston has made a decision to lift all fire-related closures and restrictions.

Beginning at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2002, all fire-related closures, smoking, and campfire restrictions will be rescinded. The public is advised to use continued caution with these activities. Potential for fire activity still exists even though the fire danger has decreased.

Unprecedented drought and extreme fire danger conditions existed statewide this year. Fire restrictions were first implemented in May to reduce the threat of human-caused wildland fires. The public responded with a great deal of support and cooperation. Since May, only one human-caused fire occurred in the park.

For additional information about backcountry travel, please call the Backcountry Office at 928-638-7875, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

July 15, 2002 Monsoons!

Moonsoons not here yet, Mike. A few clouds & dry lightning mostly. Yesterday Flagstaff got a bit of rain around the mountain. High on the S. rim yesterday was 97 and high at Phantom was 114! 20% chance of showers today and 39% tomorrow. We havn't even got enough to wet down the dust. Hopefully soon!

July 10, 2002 NPS Tamarisk Project!

The National Park Service has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Tamarisk Management and Tributary Restoration Project. Intermountain Regional Director Karen Wade approved the FONSI based on the environmental assessment/assessment of effect recommended by Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Joseph Alston. With the EA/AEF completed, the project should begin in fall 2002.

Tamarisk, commonly known as salt cedar, is an aggressive competitor, and once established in an area, it typically spreads and persists. The prolific nonnative shrubs or trees displace native vegetation and animals, alter soil salinity, and increase fire frequency. The overall purpose of the Tamarisk Management and Tributary Restoration project is to restore more natural conditions and to prevent any further loss or degradation of the existing native animal and plant life.

Two alternatives were considered in the EA/AEF: A no action alternative and an environmentally preferred alternative. The EA/AEF for the project evaluated the impacts to natural, cultural and wilderness resources. The beneficial and/or adverse impacts of this project were determined to be of minor to moderate intensity and of short-term and long-term duration. The approved action (the environmentally preferred alternative) includes the control of tamarisk in side canyons, tributaries, developed areas and springs above the pre-dam water level of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. Tamarisk will be controlled through a combination of mechanical, chemical, and cultural (i.e. seeding) methods. Methods that would be used include: manual removal; Garlon lance injection; hack and squirt method; cut stump method; basal bark application and native plant restoration.

The method selected would be site specific and determined by the restoration biologist or project leader. Follow up removal and monitoring of treated locations will help ensure the reestablishment of native vegetation.

The first phase of the project is funded by the Arizona Water Protection fund and includes 63 side canyons and tributaries. The work will be completed in partnership with the Grand Canyon Wildlands Council and should be completed in 2004. The second phase includes 100 side canyons and tributaries and the third phase includes nine tributaries.

July 9, 2002 Colorado River Management Plan needs input!
from gcpba

To the many people interested in the Grand Canyon:
The National Park Service is updating Grand Canyon National Park’s Colorado River Management Plan and needs your input. The Plan requires preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will: 1) provide a comprehensive look at the impacts to natural and cultural resources from current visitor uses on the Colorado River; and 2) evaluate various alternatives to help maintain and enhance this treasured resource while provided a quality visitor experience.

Over the next several months, GCNP will actively seek input from people, specifically at public meetings to be held:

Thursday, August 1, 2002

Denver, Colorado
Community College of Denver Downtown Campus
Tivoli Student Union Conference Center
900 Auraria Parkway
Tuesday, August 6, 2002

Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake Community College-Miller Campus
Miller Training & Conference Center
9750 South 300 West

Thursday, August 8, 2002

Flagstaff, Arizona
Coconino Community College Commons
2800 S. Lone Tree Road

Tuesday, August 13, 2002

Las Vegas, Nev.
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Moyer Student Union Building
4505 Maryland Parkway

Thursday, August 15, 2002

Mesa, Ariz.
Mesa Community College
Kirk Center-Navajo Room
1833 W. Southern Ave.

All meetings will be held in an open house format and there will be no formal presentations. The public is encouraged to stop by any time from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for information and to provide input.

Details about the entire project are available on the Web site at www.nps.gov/grca/crmp. Comments and requests to be added to the mailing list can be: emailed to grca_crmp@nps.gov; mailed to CRMP Team, Grand Canyon National Park, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023; hand-delivered to Grand Canyon National Park; or submitted at one of the public meetings.

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
The non-commercial permitting system
The level of motorized versus non-motorized raft use
The range of services and opportunities provided to the public
The continued use of helicopters to transport river passengers from the Colorado River near Whitmore Wash (in consultation with the Hualapai Indian Tribe and appropriate parties)

July 2, 2002 Glen Canyon Dam Releases!
from RRFW

Releases from Glen Canyon Dam in July will be moderately higher than in June. A total of 900,000 acre-feet will be released from Glen Canyon Dam during July 2002. On Mondays through Fridays in July, daily fluctuations due to load following will likely vary between a low of about 10,000 cfs (during late evening and early morning off-peak hours) to a high of about 18,000 cfs (during late afternoon and early evening on-peak hours). On Saturdays during this period, releases will likely vary between a low of about 10,000 cfs during off-peak hours, to a high of about 16,500 cfs during on-peak hours. On Sundays, releases will likely vary between a low of about 10,000 cfs during off-peak hours to a high of about 15,000 cfs during on-peak hours.

July 01, 2002 Surprise! gets sweatheart Concession deal!

Xanterra Parks and Resorts, L.L.C., (formally known as Amfac Parks and Resorts, L.L.C.) is now operating under a renewed contract for hospitality services on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

With this renewal, Xanterra will continue to provide lodging, food services, gift shops, mule rides, bus tours, and a variety of other services for park visitors. "We look forward to continued excellent service to the public by Xanterra, and an ongoing partnership with Xanterra staff as valued members of our local community," said Park Superintendent Joe Alston.

Xanterra Parks and Resorts, L.L.C., is the new name of Amfac Parks and Resorts, L.L.C., which held the former contract for thirty-three years, beginning January 1, 1969.

This company, which employs approximately 1200 staff at Grand Canyon National Park during peak season and grosses an average of $70 million annually, was the sole bidder for this contract. The selection process for this 10-year contract for services at Grand Canyon National Park began on April 5, 2001, when the National Park Service issued a prospectus seeking
offers under the new National Park Service Concession Management Improvement Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-391). A panel of technical experts in concessions management evaluated the offer, which emphasized a strong approach to environmental management issues, and found that it was responsive to the requirements of the prospectus.

Xanterra Parks and Resorts, L.L.C. and its sister company, Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Inc., also provide commercial services at National Park Service sites on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Zion, Bryce, Everglades, Death Valley and Mount Rushmore.

On January 11, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt reserved land in the Grand Canyon of Arizona as the Grand Canyon National Monument. On February 26, 1919, Congress set apart Grand Canyon National Park "as a public park for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." Grand Canyon National Park has visitation approaching 5 million visitors annually.

July 3, 2002 The Difference Between Mules and Jackasses!

Few parables illustrate the predicament of our national parks as does the story of the mule barn in the Grand Canyon National Park. The mule barn on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is reputedly the oldest active livery in the United States. It houses the mules that carry thousands of people annually into and out of the canyon. But the National Park Service wants to convert the mule barn into a museum. The result ? the need to build a new mule barn.

The proposed new mule barn will house the same number of mules as the present barn. So, the new barn was not made necessary by more mules. The new barn will be built in an undeveloped area of the park. The barn, its new corral and an ancillary building, will cover nearly 40,000 square feet in the middle of watershed. The NPS will cut down nearly 300 trees.
The area is Mexican spotted owl and northern goshawk habitat. The NPS would argue that all of this is a good idea. But is the new barn necessary? The answer is no. Will the project better protect the park and its resources? No, again. We need not agree on whether park resources will be harmed by the project. The point is that a large part of the NPS' construction backlog is built of many projects just like this: good ideas that are neither essential to park protection nor management.

The Fee-Demo program is helping to feed the NPS' "edifice complex." At Grand Canyon alone, the NPS has or will spend 42 million dollars not to rehab or restore existing facilities but to build new structures with Fee-Demo money (the mule barn is not among these). The structures will in turn require constant upkeep creating an ever increasing "maintenance backlog" into the future. Fee-Demo projects related to resource protection at the Grand Canyon amount to about 4 million dollars.

Perhaps it is time that we impose a moratorium on the NPS. A veto on most new structures until the NPS takes care of what is already has. The Bush Administration (as did James Watt) seems eager to apply this principle to protecting lands as parks. But the real cost of administering parks is not the land, it is the infrastructure placed upon it. And all of this in the face of dwindling annual park visitation while the nation's population is growing faster than it has in decades.

June 28, 2002 Most of the Canyon Backcountry is closed!

Because of fire danger in the forests,every trail except the SK, BA, and NK are closed as of 8:00 AM 06/28/02
New use restrictions effective 8:00 a.m. TODAY, Friday June 28, 2002. Basically the Backcountry is closed, with some exceptions.  Developed areas remain open. A site bulletin is available that explains the details.

Tusayan Ranger District closed Forest Roads 328 and 328A. Effective 8 a.m. 6/25. Contact Closure Information Center at 928-527-3693 or 3676 if you have questions.

North Kaibab District will implement a partial closure on Friday 6/28. Access to the Grand Canyon North Rim will be available. Details coming. Call 928-643-7395 with questions

June 26, 2002 Going away part for Clair!

Tuweep Ranger Clair Roberts is leaving Grand Canyon. Clair has accepted the Chief Ranger position at Sitka National Historic Park in Alaska. His going away party is July 11th on the North Rim. The festivities, including a BBQ, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the basketball court.

June 25, 2002 Evacuation Plan for South Rim!

We had a couple of close calls already at the South Rim. A drunk lighting trees on fire. The fire caused by train sparks, and a car running off the road and catching fire. The residents of Grand Canyon have been given information on basic evacuation procedures should there be an emergency such as a major fire. Included is information on what to pack, how to find out
about evacuation, routes, collection areas.

June 25, 2002 South Bass Access is Closed until further notice!

As of yesterday Forest Service Roads 328 & 328A have been closed to all access. That means there is no legal road access to the S. Bass Trail. The Backcountry Office is no longer issuing permits for this area until the fire emergency has been lifted.

June 25, 2002 Portions of the North Kaibab Forest is closed until further notice!

The FS office in Fredonia are still working out the details of what they were closing. They were also working with the NPS on the N. Rim to leave some access to some canyon hiking trails. At that time they could not say all the areas that were closing. There will be some camping areas left open like right at Jacob Lake and DeMotte Park. Apparently most the area east of Highway 64 is now closed. The partial closure and a map have been posted at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/business/07-02-07.rtf

June 20, 2002 Fire near Jacob Lake 60% Contained!

As of this morning the Big Fire is 60% contained and at 100 acres so it may not effect hiking in the area. A fire started in the National Forest near Jacob Lake and it was 50 acres and spreading. Luckily, it is not of the size of the recent Prescott or Show Low fires.

If you intend to be in the area, especially to hike, check with the Visitor Center at Jacob Lake, the Forest Service in Fredonia or www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire/

June 20, 2002 Illness on the River Identified!
from rrfw
Preliminary evidence of a gastrointestinal illness reported by persons participating in recent rafting trips on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park 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 illness, but at the time of evacuation they 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.

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.

River users are reminded to be extra vigilant with their sanitation practices.

June 18, 2002 River runners sick because of Colorado River Water?

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

June 14, 2002 River Illness - 19 Cases Reported
from gcpba newswire

According to Jim Nothnagel, GCNP Park Sanitarian, the Park is following 19 reported cases gastrointestinal illness associated with white water river rafting on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. According to Nothnagel the NPS is “... attempting to determine the exact nature, cause, and source of the illness.” Persons reporting illness are being interviewed. Where possible, fecal and/or vomitus samples will be collected for laboratory analysis.
All reported illnesses to date involve flu-like symptoms consisting of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Duration of symptoms is 24-48 hours. Initial cases of illness occurred on June 4 at approximately River Mile 164 (National Canyon). This type of illness is usually self-limiting in normally healthy adults to 24-48 hours without additional medical assistance or treatment. Young, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals may experience significantly higher health risks from the same symptoms, requiring prompt medical attention, and should be aware that medical assistance in the Grand Canyon backcountry may not be immediately available.

The National Park Service, United States Public Health Service, Coconino County Department of Public Health, Arizona State Epidemiology Office, and the Centers for Disease Control are cooperating in the collection and analysis of data. Nothnagel commented "all of us have personal preferences and beliefs that may affect personal decisions. If you are on a commercial river trip or hike, the guides are legally required to follow the correct drinking water disinfection procedures. If you are on a private river trip or hike, Grand Canyon National Park strongly encourages you to follow these same procedures. While some waterborne illnesses may be mild, all of our individual reactions and responses to disease agents vary, and all disease agents can cause severe or life threatening illness in some people."

The best ways to protect yourself from this type of illness include:

• Assuring the use of sanitary food handling procedures.
• Using good personal hygiene practices, including thorough hand washing with soap. • Assuring the proper preparation/disinfection of drinking water.

Settle, Filter, Disinfect

Canyon river trips often utilize water from the Colorado River, side streams, seeps and springs, or other sources. Any water from these sources has the potential to cause illness if it is not properly and carefully filtered and treated.
All drinking water must be:

• Settled - to remove suspended solids. It should be clear, not cloudy.
• Filtered - through an “Absolute” 1-micron filter, or one labeled as meeting American National Standards Institute (ANSI/NSF) (formerly the National Sanitation Foundation) International Standard #53 for “Cyst Removal,” and
• Disinfected - using two drops of household bleach per gallon of water, or disinfected using five drops of tincture of iodine per gallon of water. After disinfection, allow the water to sit for 30 minutes to give the chemical time to kill any organisms.

NOTE: If you use a water filter, you must also use bleach or iodine, since filtering by itself will not kill all disease-causing microorganisms.

OR

• Boiled - for one minute, plus one additional minute for every 1,000 feet above sea level.

All filtered and disinfected or boiled water must be stored in clean and sanitized containers.
If you have questions regarding drinking water, or if you have become ill while traveling in the Grand Canyon backcountry, please contact:
Jim Nothnagel, Park Sanitarian (928) 226-0168 or
Mike McGinnis, River Subdistrict Ranger (928) 638-7832
Reporting incidents to the NPS can help assist the research useful in stopping or preventing the spread of disease. Several seasons ago more than 200 individuals became ill when river waters were contaminated by waste water entering the river from the Page area. Data collection helped pinpoint the source of contamination and correct the conditions leading to the pollution.

June 13, 2002 South Rim Pipeline Break!

Due to rupture, the pipeline delivering water to the South Rim has been out of service since last Thursday evening, June 6. High winds thwarted early repair efforts. Since then, one repair was made, and water flowed for a total of four hours before a second rupture occurred. The Park is operating off reserve storage tanks as a team continues to make repairs to the line.

While the Park isn't faced with an emergency just yet, we are asking your cooperation to conserve. Repairs are going well, however, it is not uncommon to experience multiple breaks in succession. If we continue to experience more pipeline breaks, we have about a week to determine the emergency measures to take.

June 13, 2002 Grand Canyon River Planning Begins

The Federal Register today announced the notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for the Colorado River Management Plan, Grand Canyon National Park.

The announcement is at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a020613c.html

and will require you to scroll down to the National Park Service heading, where you can view the announcement as a text or PDF file.

June 11, 2002 Lake Reaches Lowest Level in Thirty Years!

Lake Mead is in the process of being lowered to its lowest level in 30 years according to the Bureau of Reclamation. The decline is occurring because the flow of the Colorado River for the past two years has been far below normal, while demand has remained constant.

The last time the lake level was this low was in March, 1971, and it will continue to decline at a rate of about a foot a week until the end of June, at which time it will be at its lowest level since the 1960s. It will remain at that level until next March.

Ramp inspections are occurring each day, and marinas are having to move each week as the water level declines. As more and more of the boat ramps are revealed, operators are discovering more and more areas needing repair, creating a tremendous maintenance backlog. Some ramps have also been closed, as there's no water near them, and marinas are running out of
protected bays for their operations.

The broadening beaches are creating problems with stuck vehicles and exposing new ways to reach backcountry areas, where rangers are noticing a significant increase in off-road use and damage to resources.

New sandbars, islands and other navigation hazards are popping up each week, leading to another challenge for the ranger division - keeping up with public safety problems.

The declining water levels have also led to a host of interesting discoveries, such as evidence of criminal activities (guns, knives and similar items), dumped vehicles, and boats that were scuttled for insurance purposes.

With the decline continuing through the month, the possibility increases of finding victims who drowned and were not recovered or were dumped into the lake in past years.

June 11, 2002 Condor Egg fails!

On Monday, Greg Moore and staff attempted to enter the Dana Butte Cave with no success. However, he did observe an intact condor egg resting securely within the cave. Although we are disappointed that this treasure chest of biological information could not be retrieved (likely infertile), we are grateful for the safe operations conducted by the ranger staff and for the information gathered by the dozens of nestwatch volunteers. The confirmation that an egg was laid, incubated and tended is valuable.

The NPS climbers attempted to get into the condor nest at Dana Butte as the condor pair had abandoned the nest. The lead climber was able to rappel down to in front of the nest in the Redwall and see in but not able to actuallly get into the nest as the wall was quite overhung and the cave entrance somewhat small. He was able to see that there was an egg inside. At this point we do not know why the egg failed. It could have been infertile or it could have cracked.

June 08, 2002 Colorado River releases!
from rrfw riverwire

Releases from Glen Canyon Dam in June will be moderately higher than in May. A total of 747,000 acre-feet will be released from Glen Canyon Dam during June 2002. On Mondays through Fridays in June, daily fluctuations due to load following will likely vary between a low of about 9,500 cfs (during late evening and early morning off-peak hours) to a high of about 15,500 cfs (during late afternoon and early evening on-peak hours). On Saturdays during this period, releases will likely vary between a low of about 9,500 cfs during off-peak hours, to a high of about 14,000 cfs during on-peak hours. On Sundays, releases will
likely vary between a low of about 9,500 cfs during off-peak hours to a high of about 13,800 cfs during on-peak hours.

July releases will be moderately higher than June. A total of 895,000 acre-feet is scheduled to be releases in July, 2002 which averages out to 14,600 cfs. August releases will likely be the same as July.

Water year 2002 is turning out to be an extremely dry year in the Colorado River Basin. Basinwide precipitation has been significantly below average and snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin, except for a few high altitude locations, is essentially gone. The June final inflow forecast issued by the National Weather Service is calling for 1.45 million acre-feet of unregulated inflow to Lake Powell during this year's April through July runoff. This is only 18 percent of average. Since the completion of Glen Canyon Dam, there has been only one year where April through July inflow was below the level projected for 2002. This was the very dry year of 1977 when April through July inflow to Lake Powell was only 1.3 million acre-feet. It is possible that 2002 April through July inflow could end up being below the 1977 total.

Unregulated inflow to Lake Powell during May, 2002 was the lowest ever recorded during the month of May since closure of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. Only 312,000 of unregulated inflow reached Lake Powell, breaking the previous low of 328,000 acre-feet, which occurred in May of 1977. Inflow to Lake Powell has been significantly below average throughout 2002. Unregulated inflow to Lake Powell in January, February, March, and April of 2002 was 69, 53, 45 and 39 percent of average, respectively. May's record-breaking inflow volume was only 14 percent of average.

Drier than average conditions have now prevailed for the past three years in the Colorado River Basin. Both water years 2000 and 2001 were below average inflow years. Total unregulated inflow into Lake Powell in water year 2000 was 62 percent of average, while water year 2001 registered inflow at 59 percent of average.

On April 24, 2002, members of the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) recommended experimental flow tests similar to the 1996 Beach/Habitat-Building Test Flow in which high flows (45,000 cfs) were released to test the ability of those flows to create beaches and conserve sediment for resource management purposes in the Grand Canyon. The new test would be triggered if substantial new sediment inputs come into the system, and if the monitoring and research shows that the antecedent conditions have retained that sediment so it is available for beach/habitat building. The AMWG is a federally chartered advisory group to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton. The AMWG will forward the recommendation to Secretary Norton. More information on the recommended experimental flows can be found at www.uc.usbr.gov/pao/exp_flows_glencanyondam.html

June 05, 2002 Lee's Ferry Launch Party!
from rrfw riverwire

River Runners For Wilderness (RRFW), a river resource protection organization, will formally launch June 15, 2002, at the boat ramp at Lee's Ferry, Arizona. The group will host a "launching" party at Lee's Ferry, Arizona, on Friday evening, June 14, and Saturday morning, June 15, 2002, in concert with Living Rivers and the Grand Canyon Restoration Coalition.

The fun begins Friday evening, June 14, at Lee's Ferry, Arizona, from 6:00-10:00 PM. Come join us for a Cookout, campfire, river music, dance and good cheer. The Lee's Ferry campground is located off Highway 89, north of Marble Canyon Lodge, on the road to Lee's Ferry.

Saturday morning, June 15, join us at the Lee's Ferry launch ramp for speeches and songs from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The speakers will include: Jeff Ingram, a longtime Grand Canyon wilderness activist; Kim Crumbo, a Colorado River guide, former wilderness coordinator for Grand Canyon National Park, and currently the Grand Canyon representative for Arizona Wilderness Coalition; John Weisheit, a Colorado River guide and conservation director for Living Rivers; Tom Martin, Grand Canyon coordinator for River Runners For Wilderness, Brent Blackwelder, president of Friends of the Earth and veteran of 400 successful dam fights over 32 years; musician and author Katie Lee; and additional riverside music from Peg Millet, Bill Oliver and Peter Neils.

The launch of RRFW will be a component of Living Rivers 700 mile long "Sediment-al Journey," building support for the restoration of Grand Canyon and the reformation of the Bureau of Reclamation. After the RRFW launch, Living Rivers will be continuing the "Sediment-al Journey" with a float from Glen Canyon Dam back to Lee's Ferry, beginning at 11:00 AM. Space is
very very limited for this float event. If you are interested in participating in the float, you must contact John Weisheit as soon as possible at John@Livingrivers.netAfter the float, festivities will continue into the evening, again at the Lee's Ferry campground. For more information visit http://www.RRFW.org

or Living Rivers at
http://www.livingrivers.org/media/article.cfm?NewsID=282

June 04, 2002 Clair and Liz Roberts leaving Tuweep!

Clair and Liz Roberts are leaving the end of July. NPS has not yet said who will be coming in to replace Clair. Possible there could be some temporary folks till a new permanent ranger comes on. They will be missed. It is on to Sitka, Alaska for them.

June 01, 2002 Harvey!
from the Arizona Daily Sun

Reporter Anne Minard can be reached at aminard@azdailysun.com

May 31, 2002 Harvey passes away! A very sad day.

On Wednesday, May 29, Dr. John "Harvey" Butchart passed away in Tucson at the age of 95. To paraphrase the obituary in the Arizona Republic 'he had a passion for exploring the canyon' and he was a mentor to many others especially those in the NAU Hiking Club. He logged well over 12,000 miles hiking in the canyon besides his job as NAU math prof. He wrote much about
hiking the canyon including hiking guides and published magazine articles about hiking here as early as the 1950s. He pioneered many new hiking routes as well as logged many first ascents to the tops of the canyon's buttes and temples. His wit and spirit of adventure will be missed by many many people. He was truly a pioneer. Like us he wanted much to preserve and protect this beautiful canyon. Funeral services will be Saturday at the
Faith Presbyterian Church (623-974-3611), 16000 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City.

Harvey Butchart - Obituary

'Harvey'Butchart"Dr. John"Harvey"Butchart 95, of Tucson, died May 29, 2002. Survived by daughter Anne Madariaga of Springerville; son Jim Butchart of Louisville, KY; sister Ruth Nobiling of Sun City; 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his wife Roma; sister Helen Butchart and brother Baird Butchart. Dr. Butchart was one of four children,
born in China, to James and Nellie Butchart. He did his undergraduate work at Eureka College, IL, receiving his Ph.D. in math from the University of Illinois. An educator for many years, he was head of the mathematics department at NAU in Flagstaff, where he also sponsored the Hiking Club. A longtime member of the Grand Canyon Pioneer Society, his passion was exploring the Canyon, where he spent the equivalent of three years and logged over 12,000 miles. His records and photos have been donated to the NAU Library.

May 18, 2002 Drought and Fire Danger!

Unprecedented drought and EXTREME FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS exist at Grand Canyon National Park.  Arizona is the driest it has been in recorded
history!  To reduce the threat of human-caused wildland fires, the following fire restrictions will be implemented at 8:00 AM on Saturday, May 18, 2002, until further