Zion National Park announces Finding of No Significant Impact for the South Entrance Fee Station Reconfiguration
By Aly Baltrus and Shauna Ertolacci
Today, the National Park Service announced the signing of the South Entrance Fee Station Reconfiguration Finding of No Significant Impact, or FONSI. The FONSI records the decision of the National Park Service to redesign the South Entrance Fee Station and adjacent roadway in order to decrease park entry wait times for vehicular traffic and reduce localized vehicle congestion while simultaneously improving employee safety, correcting faulty culverts, and supporting the NPS Green Parks initiative by installing a photovoltaic system. This action is described as Alternative B in the Environmental Assessment released for public review in August 2018. The Environmental Assessment and associated FONSI documents, to include the Errata and Non-Impairment Determination, are available at parkplanning.nps.gov/zion.
“We look forward to implementing this project to enhance visitor service and provide for employee safety in this area of concentrated automobile traffic.” said Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh.
The public scoping period for the South Entrance Fee Station Reconfiguration EA occurred from Jan. 30 to March 1. Thirty-five comments were received from the public and considered by park management in the development of the EA. The EA was released for public review Aug. 20, and the NPS accepted comments through Sept. 3. Twenty-six responses were received during the comment period. All comments on the EA were examined by park management and were considered in the development of the FONSI and Errata documents.
Requests for digital or hardcopies of the FONSI, available on a limited basis, may be submitted by writing to Superintendent, Zion National Park ATTN: South Entrance Fee Station Reconfiguration FONSI Request, 1 Zion Park Blvd., State Route 9, Springdale, UT 84767. You may also contact the ZION Environmental Protection Specialist by email at zion_group_project_compliance@nps.gov or by phone at (435) 772-0144 to request a copy.
