Republican U.S. Rep. Eli Crane says he is trying to fast-track environmental processes in order to rebuild the lodge that burned down on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
The Grand Canyon Lodge was destroyed in the midst of the Dragon Bravo Fire that is still only about a quarter contained and has charred more than 20 square miles.
“I love the idea of trying to fast track the recovery at the North Rim,” Crane said.
During the phone-in town hall Tuesday evening, Crane said he’s already reached out to the White House.
“We’re talking about possibly doing some NEPA waivers, waiving environmental reviews and just trying to fast-track this as quickly as we can to get that historic structure back up and running again,” he said.
NEPA or National Environmental Policy Act is a law that requires federal agencies to determine if their projects will affect the surrounding natural environment.
“And let’s also modernize it so it can be open year-round,” he said.
The North Rim is normally open only from May to October. It has been closed for this season due to fires.
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Thompson says the closure is scheduled to continue through the end of September. The Pocket Fire has burned more than 27,000 acres.
