Legislation Aims to Accelerate Recovery on Grand Canyon’s North Rim
The scenic North Rim of the Grand Canyon, heavily impacted by the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires last summer, may soon see accelerated recovery efforts. Arizona’s U.S. senators are set to propose a bill aimed at expediting reconstruction and restoration efforts in the area.
The proposed North Rim and Kaibab National Forest Restoration Act seeks to empower the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service with emergency authority. This would enable these agencies to swiftly engage contractors, bypassing the typical bureaucratic hurdles that often delay such projects.
Proponents of the legislation argue that it will facilitate quicker rebuilding, cleanup, and forest restoration processes, which traditionally face lengthy delays due to federal procurement regulations.
“The fire that destroyed the economy of the North Rim, and even the South Rim, is devastating … What we don’t want to see happen is bureaucracy slow this up and essentially the reconstruction and the economic reconstruction of Northern Arizona being slowed down,” stated Sen. Ruben Gallego, the bill’s sponsor.
The Dragon Bravo Fire, which scorched approximately 145,000 acres, along with the nearly 59,000-acre White Sage Fire, led to the indefinite closure of the North Rim in July, destroying over 100 structures, including the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge.
Some areas have since reopened, and Grand Canyon National Park officials are contemplating the reopening of the North Kaibab Trail in May, contingent on safety assessments.
The closures have significantly impacted businesses in surrounding communities like Page, Fredonia, and Jacob Lake, which depend on tourism for survival.
“It’s really important to the people of our state and it’s not just economic,” remarked Sen. Mark Kelly, another supporter of the legislation. “This is one of the wonders of the world … It’s going to take a little time, but we’re going to try to do it as smartly and as expeditiously as we can.”
This Senate bill mirrors a proposal by Rep. Eli Crane introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last year. Crane expressed urgency, stating, “(Businesses owners and community members have) all basically told us that, ‘If we don’t get this taken care of, it’s going to decimate the communities surrounding the North Rim.’ I think that they’re also optimistic and glad that this is a bipartisan effort to move forward and make the Grand Canyon better than ever.”
Meanwhile, the Dragon Bravo fire continues to smolder in isolated areas of the park, with federal authorities yet to provide detailed responses to lawmakers regarding ongoing efforts.
—
Read More Arizona News
