Zion Announces Approval of the Irrigation System Upgrade Project

Zion National Park Seeks Public Comment on Irrigation System Upgrade Environmental Assessment
Date: November 22, 2011
Contact: Kezia Nielsen, 435-772-0211
Contact: Marc Neidig, 435-772-0164


Zion National Park is seeking public comment on the environmental assessment (EA) that analyzed the impacts of a proposed upgrade to the irrigation system and diversion structure within the park. The proposed upgrade would decrease maintenance requirements for the open ditch system, decrease the use of culinary water for landscaping and increase the overall efficiency of the irrigation system. This irrigation system services park facilities in Zion Canyon from the south park boundary to Canyon Junction.

The EA analyzed three alternatives. None of the alternatives would affect or change existing water rights. In Alternative A, the no action alternative, the park would continue using the existing open ditch system for watering vegetation; no upgrade to the system would occur. Under both Alternatives B and C the proposal is to place the water in a pipe and to pressurize the irrigation system. The difference between Alternative B and C is the alignment of the pipeline and the placement of facilities. Alternative B, the preferred alternative, would have fewer environmental impacts because of the placement of the facilities and the reduced length of the pipeline.

The park encourages the public to participate in the planning process at this time. The EA will be available for public review and comment for 30 days, with comments accepted through December 27, 2011. The document is available electronically for review and comment online by visiting the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/. Comments may also be mailed to: Zion National Park, Upgrade Irrigation System EA, Springdale, UT 84767.

Zion Announces Approval of the Irrigation System Upgrade Project
Date: February 24, 2012
Contact: Kezia Nielsen, 435-772-0211
Contact: David Eaker, 435-772-7811

Zion National Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth announces the completion of the environmental analysis for the upgrade to one of the park irrigation systems and the signing of the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) by the National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director. This approval follows a 30-day public review period of the environmental assessment (EA) that analyzed the impacts of the project. The project will begin when funding becomes available.

The FONSI and EA constitute the record of the environmental impact analysis and decision-making process for upgrade to the irrigation system. The National Park Service will implement the preferred alternative as described in the EA and FONSI. The preferred alternative includes measures for protection of park resources, benefits to health and safety, improvements to visitor experience, and park operations and management. The alternative was selected after careful review of resource and visitor impacts, and public comment.

For more information, or to obtain a copy of the FONSI, please visit the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/zion.