The National Park Service wants to enhance telecommunications services within developed areas of Grand Canyon National Park.
That desire is based on operational needs for more bandwidth for the Park Service and visitor complaints about limited cell and data services.
The proposed action would add up to five telecommunications towers and install cellular nodes and fiber optic cables in portions of the North and South Rims that already have been developed.
Elly Boerke, environmental protection specialist with NPS, said any scope of work would balance needs with the beauty of a World Heritage site.
“We know we have a pretty valuable scenic resource here at Grand Canyon. That is the main reason why people are here. And so, we are trying to be really sensitive to that as we develop the proposed action and develop the environmental assessment," Boerke said.
Interested parties can participate in the public scoping open house July 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium.
Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until Aug. 11. After that, an environmental impact assessment will be conducted in conjunction with state officials.
A virtual open house webinar is also scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6, from noon to 1 p.m.
