Grand Canyon, AZ - The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposal to demolish and rebuild the Maswik South lodging complex (Maswik South), and to construct two new sections of road to improve traffic flow in the vicinity of Maswik South. The NPS is preparing an environmental assessment (EA), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, to develop and evaluate alternatives for this project.

Maswik South is located in Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim. The lodging complex currently consists of six prefabricated, motel-style lodging buildings that provide 90 guest rooms. The buildings were constructed in 1971 and have exceeded their expected useful life of 40 years. Other existing infrastructure at Maswik South, such as sidewalks and roads, is also aging, in poor condition, or not compliant with current laws, codes and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Additionally, the configuration of the Maswik South site contributes to poor traffic circulation and conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.

To correct these issues, the NPS is proposing to demolish the existing Maswik South buildings and construct up to five new buildings within the existing site footprint. The new buildings would provide up to 120 rooms, including some rooms with kitchenettes to better serve families. The proposal also includes reconfiguring the site; improving aging infrastructure, such as roads, parking, and sidewalks; and improving pedestrian and vehicular circulation to address safety concerns. Additionally, the NPS is proposing to construct two new sections of road (approximately .5 miles total) in the vicinity of Maswik South to provide an alternate route from Grand Canyon Village to Rowe Well Road and reduce traffic at Maswik South.

Xanterra South Rim, LLC. currently operates the Maswik South under a concession contract with the NPS and would complete this project under the terms of that contract.

Additional information, including a newsletter on the specifics of the proposed action is available on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MaswikSouth. Interested parties can participate in the following public scoping open house:

Wednesday,  July 18, 2018

4:30 to 6:00 pm

Shrine of the Ages Auditorium

20 South Entrance Road

Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Public comments on the proposed action will be accepted for 15 days (closing July 27, 2018). During this time, any individual or group can submit scoping comments electronically on the PEPC website, in person at public scoping open house events, or via mail to Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, Attn: Maswik South EA, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. The preferred method for submitting comments is on the PEPC website listed above.

Comments that provide insights about the project purpose and the park's current proposal are particularly helpful, and new ideas and proposals are welcome. Following the public comment period, the NPS will analyze and consider all feedback and begin preparation of the EA.

The NPS will not select an alternative for implementation until after the analysis of the alternatives and their potential impacts has been completed within the EA. There will be a second opportunity for public comment on the EA in fall/winter 2018.

-NPS-