Proposed Grand Canyon development

[BlackHatGuy]

From the article:

At the rim of the Grand Canyon, busloads of Chinese tourists jostled on a recent day with twentysomething backpackers and an Amish family with rambunctious boys in suspenders and straw hats, all eager for a prime viewing spot.

They gazed out on a dizzying sight of receding canyons and sheer rock walls, with the Colorado River cutting though the canyon floor a mile down.

Generations of park managers have tried to preserve that natural vista, but officials here say a proposed development would alter the view.

Looking eastward from the canyon's popular South Rim, visitors could soon see a hive of construction as workers build restaurants, hotels and shops on a distant mesa on the Navajo Indian reservation.

The developers also plan a gondola ride from those attractions to whisk tourists to the canyon floor, where they would stroll along an elevated riverside walkway to a restaurant at the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers.

More here: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-grand-canyon-20140706-story.html#page=1

[J-L]

Thanks, Doug. You've been posting some good articles lately.

[HkNewman]

Ah, the smell of free enterprise in the morning. Smells like tourists with bags of chips, a Pepsi, and flip flops, … traveling in 4 minutes what used to take adventurers a couple days of sweat. On a positive note, I'm sure they'll offer keno, blackjack, and other traditional games of chance, all advertised by big neon lights (/sarcasm)

[Valerie E]

Yeah, that was in our local newspaper (it *is* Arizona, after all).

I'm disappointed, but not really surprised that the Navajo would want to start turning some of their real estate into money (they are not — as of yet — a "casino" tribe, so they are very poor). It will be interesting to see whether the neighboring Hopi tribe tries to stop them, as the Hopi's most sacred spot (the Sipapu) is right in the heart of the land slated for development.

Having spent a fair amount of time in the area, it beats me why anyone would want to put a big suburban-type development there … but then again, I would've nixed Las Vegas (you wanna do *what* in the middle of the desert???!?) — so what do I know?

The fight over water rights will certainly be interesting; possibly that will go to the Supreme Court, so I don't think they'll be breaking ground in the next few years. No water = no development here in Arizona.

[Tim Zen]

[Kerry Wilson]

Its getting harder to find a place in this country where $$ doesn't talk…..This would be a shame if its allowed to happen.

[Dean L]

Since the Colorado River was altered, mostly due to sediment and temperature, several species of endangered fish can only be found in any appreciable numbers in the Little Colorado. If the LC is developed it could impact these remnant populations.

[Jennifer Mitol]

Not sure if you guys have seen this, but it's sadly hilarious:
http://www.adventure-journal.com/2014/04/the-aj-list-the-17-best-bad-reviews-of-national-parks-on-yelp/

An example:
"Grand Canyon National Park
“The reason I give Grand Canyon National Park only one star as a National Park is that pretty much all of the really awesome things you could potentially do in the Grand Canyon are basically off-limits for a day tripper…I just don’t understand why they won’t build a road, aerial tramway, elevator, or SOMETHING that gives easier access to the canyon’s depths. To people who say that building anything would ruin the Grand Canyon, I would say this – did building a road into Yosemite Valley ruin Yosemite?”

[Billy Ray]

For all those who want to experience the National Parks without expending any effort and want a more 'whiz bang' experience…

I propose each park service build virtual reality exhibits. Keep the exhibits and the loonies away from the rest of the park and people who want to actually enjoy nature unaltered…. Better yet… maybe these virtual reality programs could be 'piped' into the homes of these people so they don't have to leave the comfort of their easy chairs to enjoy 'the parks'.

And, yes, in my view Yosemite was ruined by the road (and the 4 million visitors a year that use that road).

Billy

[Shane O’Donnell]

"I would say this – did building a road into Yosemite Valley ruin Yosemite?"

Having taken a day off from hiking the PCT to dayhike 24 miles down into the Valley, I can say, unequivocally:

Yes, yes it did.

[Billy Ray]

"I would say this – did building a road into Yosemite Valley ruin Yosemite?"

No doubt, John Muir is turning over in his grave at the 4 million visitors a year…

I has gone from being a truly sacred place to being a tourist spectacle.
Sure, all the nature starved, techno addict, escapees from the cities think it's great.
But can you imagine Yosemite in 1850??? Hiking or riding a horse in there??? WOW !

Billy

[Jim Colten]

can you imagine Yosemite in 1850??? Hiking or riding a horse in there??? WOW !

A horse isn't technology? You'd have a tough job trying to defend idea that to the SW US population what was there when the Spanish arrived.

"I would say this – did building a road into Yosemite Valley ruin Yosemite?"

I know at least one somewhat frequent posting BPL member who thinks so … but then he'd likely also say that foot trails have ruined the rest of Sierra Nevada.

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