Grand Canyon seeks public input on fire management agreement

The National Park Service is accepting public comments through Saturday, August 15, on a draft agreement that will guide how historic and cultural resources are considered during fire management planning at Grand Canyon National Park.

National Park Service firefighters conduct a prescribed burn in Grand Canyon National Park. The park is accepting public comments on a draft fire management agreement through August 15. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.

The proposed agreement establishes the process the park will use to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act when planning wildfire response, prescribed burns and other fire management activities. It does not authorize any new fire management projects.

If adopted, the agreement would replace the park’s expired 2009 agreement and expand its scope to include fire management activities below the canyon rim, as well as mechanical fuel reduction treatments throughout the park. The draft was developed in consultation with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer and the 12 Tribal Nations involved in the original agreement.

Members of the public can review the draft agreement and submit comments through the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment website until 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on Saturday, August 15. The Park Service says it will respond to substantive comments after the review period closes.