Gros Ventre Campground EA Open for Review

May 26, 2009
09-33
Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott announced today that the Gros Ventre Campground Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA/AEF) is now available for public review. Public comments will be accepted on the EA/AEF for 30 days, from May 26 to June 25, 2009.

The purpose of this project is to rehabilitate the Gros Ventre Campground through improvements to its infrastructure and other facilities that would benefit the visiting public, wildlife and other natural resources, park operations, and seasonal park employees. The primary objective of the project is to address health and safety concerns related to aging campground infrastructure. The project would also meet current and future visitor demands, reduce impervious surface, and restore natural vegetation and wildlife habitat. In addition, the project would provide for additional RV administrative sites for park concessioners, park partners, and seasonal employees.

The EA/AEF, prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), examines two alternatives: Alternative 1, a no action alternative; and Alternative 2, the preferred alternative. The preferred alternative proposes to upgrade, and/or replace, critical campground infrastructure. Elements of the infrastructure improvements include: Installation of a new water and waste water system; installation of up to 50 visitor-served electric hook ups sites; addition of administrative campsites; upgrades on comfort stations to meet current accessibility standards; construction of new shower and laundry facilities for visitor and administrative use; and the permanent closure of two existing campground loops. The campground entry area—including the office, parking area, and dump station—would be realigned and expanded to meet present-day visitor needs. The preferred alternative also proposes to reduce the existing campground footprint by up to eight acres and restore valuable wildlife habitat.

Electronic copies of the Gros Ventre Campground Rehabilitation EA/AEF are available online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ or on the park’s Web site at www.nps.gov/grte. Interested persons may also request a copy through Grand Teton National Park’s planning office by calling 307.739.3390.