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Grand Canyon Comes Up With River Plan After Harassment Report

Grand Canyon
Laurel Morales
Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim

The Grand Canyon National Park has come up with a new plan for how to handle river operations. This comes 16 months after a federal investigation exposed a long pattern of sexual harassment.

The national park’s river district manages public safety and the canyon’s wildlife on the Colorado River. The proposed changes include a new position that would oversee the park employees on the river. That person would report directly to the park superintendent. The idea is the shorter chain of command would improve communication.

A January 2016 report by the Office of Inspector General found male National Park Service employees demanded sex from their female co-workers and punished those who refused. When the women complained, supervisors didn’t properly investigate or follow up.

Park employees plan to present a final recommendation to the superintendent by August.

Laurel Morales was a Fronteras Desk senior field correspondent in Flagstaff from 2011 to 2020.