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Show PAGE 12 THE ZEPHYR JULY 89 public lands watchdog Arches Alters GMP When Arches National Park released its General Management Plan this spring, the Park Service reviewed a variety of proposals and options for the The park, the resource and Its visitor and administrative facilities. Intended are with to deal future as needs and perceived by Impacts changes the Park Service. The agency solicited public comment on the proposals and the park's preferred alternative. That comment period ended In April. Now a change In the management plan has drawn fire from the National Parks and In a letter to NPS Regional Director Lorraine Conservation Association. Mlntzmyor, Regional Representative Terri Martin expressed concern: "It Is my understanding that the National Park Sendee has decided to revise the preferred alternative for the Delicate Arch viewpoint site plan that Is described In the March 1988 draft General Management PlanDevelopment Concept Plan and Environmental Assessment Specifically, It Is my understanding that the NPS has decided to retain the existing parking lot at the end of the road as wed as change the proposed location of the proposed new parking lot "I am writing to request that the NPS provide the public an opportunity to comment on the new proposal for the Delicate Arch viewpoint site. This could be easily accomplished by mailing a revised site plan, a brief description of the new proposal and NPSs reasons for advocating It, and appropriate NEPA compliance to those persons who received the draft plan. NPCA requests that the pubDc be given 30 days at a minimum to comment on the revised proposal. "We are very disturbed to learn that the NPS has apparently decided to retain the existing parking lot at the end of the road. While the NPS apparently proposes to adjust the location of the existing parking lot slightly to the north so K Des closer to a topographic rise, It Is our understanding that the parking lot will still be visible to visitors to the Arch. Given the NPSs recognition that the visibility of this parking lot degrades visitor experience, and the obvious availability of alternative locations that place It out of view, the NPS's decision to retain the parking lot at Its existing location Is puzzling and very disturbing. "Public notice of the NPS's new proposal for the Delicate Arch viewpoint area would give NPCA and other concerned citizens an opportunity to review the NPS's new proposal, and rational for this proposal, and provide comment We respectfully request that the NPS provide this opportunity for pubBc comment According to Arches Superintendent Paul Guraedy, It was felt that since the new viewpoint would be visible from the Arch as well, and constructed at considerable expense, the park would allow the old dewpoint to remain, mostly as a "dropping off place. Most parking would be located at a new parking lot jag RED SANDS AUTO BODY 1 209 So. Hwy 1 91 The NPCA Issued an alert, urging Its members and all persons concerned about the future of Arches to write the Park and express their opinion. Any change In the General Management Plan without adequate public review, violates the Intent of the decision making process which seeks and In tact Interested persons may write: Superinten requires public participation. National Park, Box 907, Moab, Utah 84532. dent Paul Guraedy, Arches A "Presidential Request at Grand Canyon Acting on Information recently received, The Canyon Country Zeohvr filed a Freedom of Information Act request with Grand Canyon National Park, regarding an Incident that occurred there on May 17, 1989. Based on documents that the National Park Service sent The Zenhvr. a passenger on a commercial river trip was airDfted by NPS helicopter to the Grand Canyon Airport, on orders of President George Bush. The "nature of the Incident as described In the report Is identified as "Transport -The report states that "on 051789 at approximately Presidential Request 14:05 hours, (Ranger Mark ONeill) flew via NPS helicopter to the mouth of Tapeats Creek (river mile 144) to pick up Kay R. Whitmore and transport him to the Grand Canyon Airport Whitmore was delivered to the airport and was met by a crew member of the transport Jet Another released document, a memorandum from Bob. Peterson, Director of the Office of Aircraft Services, Department of the Interior, explained the reason for the flight: "The following actions are based upon Instructions to meet needs for White House scheduling of Presidential commitments with the Kodak Corporation. , (Mr. Whitmore Is an executive In that corporation.) Contacted by The Zeohvr for more Information, officials at Grand Canyon stated that the decision to fly Mr. Whitmore out of the canyon was made "higher up and that the park had no choice but to follow orders. The Zenhvr then contacted a representative of Western River Expeditions, the river company that Mr. Whitmore had been on the trip with when he was airlifted. However, she refused to comment, and In fact stated that she was Instructed not to talk about the Incident with anyone. Because of time constrictions and an approaching press deadline, The Zgphyf will try to follow up bn this story In the August Issue, to determine why tire White House needed Mr. Whitmore of Kodak In Washington on such short 10-3- 43 . notice. We have state of the art equipment for the most complicated job custom molding side molding complete print jobs free estimates 259-701- 4 Rick Thompson, Owner Dan Mick, Mgr. k .1 ; 'next time misfortune runs your way, come see us. 99 A a |