Grand Canyon National Park officials want to replace the aged Trans-Canyon Water Distribution Pipeline, which frequently has leaks and is past its expected life/NPS

No doubt weary of constantly repairing the Trans-Canyon Water Distribution Pipeline that funnels water between Grand Canyon National Park's two rims, National Park Service officials are proposing a variety of ways to deal with the pipeline.

The analysis of the project to replace the Pipeline and development of alternatives through an environmental assessment is required under the National Environmental Policy Act.

"The pipeline is critical to the operation of the park, and is the only infrastructure we have to distribute water from our water supply to the South Rim," said Grand Canyon Superintendent Christine Lehnertz. "We invite the public to share ideas and insights about our preliminary proposal, and other approaches the park could consider."

Opened in 1965 and designed to last for 40 years, the pipeline delivers water from Roaring Springs on the north side of the Grand Canyon, across the bottom of the canyon, and up to the South Rim.

The pipeline stretches from the North Rim to the South Rim/NPS

The pipeline leaks regularly and has serious breaks each year that often force it to be shut down for repairs. Pipeline breaks in the remote canyon, accessible only by helicopter or trail, can take days or weeks to repair. There have been more than 80 pipeline breaks since 2010, the Park Service said.

There are currently two proposals identified to address the purpose of the Pipeline:

• Replace the old pipeline with a new pipeline along its existing route from the current intake system at Roaring Springs to the Indian Garden Pump Station. From there, the existing pipeline would continue to deliver water to the South Rim storage tanks.
• Install a new water intake system near Bright Angel Creek at Phantom Ranch, replace the pipeline from Phantom Ranch to Indian Garden Pump Station, build water treatment facilities at Phantom Ranch, Indian Garden and the South Rim Village. The existing pipeline would continue to deliver water to the South Rim storage tanks from Indian Garden. A smaller diameter pipe would be installed from Roaring Springs to serve the Cottonwood Campgrounds.

The park's current preference is to install the new water intake near Bright Angel Creek, construct water treatment facilities, and replace the pipe between Phantom Ranch and Indian Garden.

Public comments on the proposals will be accepted for through August 7. Comments that provide insights about the project purpose and the park's current proposal would be particularly useful. New ideas and proposals are also welcome. Following the public comment period, the National Park Service will analyze and consider all feedback and begin the preparation of the EA.

The Park Service will not select an alternative for implementation until after the analysis of the alternatives and their potential impacts has been completed. There will be a second opportunity for public comment on the draft document in 2018.

A public scoping newsletter with project details, preliminary alternatives, and instructions for how to comment online are available at this site.

Written comments via the U.S. Postal Service should be sent to:

Grand Canyon National Park
Attn: Trans-Canyon Water Distribution Pipeline EA,
Post Office Box 129,
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Public Scoping Open House
Monday, July 17 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. MST (Arizona)
Shrine of the Ages
Grand Canyon Village
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Public Scoping Open House
Tuesday, July 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MST (Arizona)
DoubleTree by Hilton
1175 W Route 66
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Public Scoping Webinar
Tuesday, July 25, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. MST (Arizona)
Registration Information http://parkplanning.nps.gov/grcatcwl
Webinar participants will make comments at the planning website.