Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga today announced his retirement effective June 1, 2016.

 Over a 41 year career in the Federal Government, 31 years with the National Park Service, Uberuaga has shown a dedication to the agency and its mission to leave these special places “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

 Since his arrival at Grand Canyon National Park in 2011, Uberuaga has managed a complex park where visitation has exploded to over 5.5 million visitors a year with an annual operating budget of more than $21 million. He worked to prepare Grand Canyon for the next generation of visitors as the park enters its second century. His collaborative work with Traditionally Associated Tribes has resulted in the revitalization of the Desert View Watchtower and its transformation into a Native American cultural interpretive center. Uberuaga has also worked to develop a funding strategy for the single biggest deferred maintenance project in the National Park Service, the replacement of the Trans Canyon Pipeline, a $163 million project which provides potable water for visitors and staff.

 Oversight of a place such as Grand Canyon does not come without controversy and Uberuaga has been responsible for the day-to-day management of highly controversial topics and issues including, Aircraft Overflights, Bison Management, Backcountry Use, Colorado River Management, and the recent findings of the Office of Inspector General regarding sexual harassment in the park’s River District.

A World Heritage Site, Grand Canyon National Park is a premier, world famous destination. The Grand Canyon protects 1.2 million acres, over 90% is managed as wilderness, which encompasses 277 miles of the Colorado River.  With an average depth of 1 mile the Grand Canyon is an enormous and iconic landscape filled with incomparable natural and cultural resources.

 Uberuaga plans to retire to Montana and spend time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.