Friday, May 5, 2006
The National Park Service is planning to rehabilitate the facilities in and around the Javelina Picnic Area in the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, east of the city of Tucson, Arizona. The park is currently in the scoping phase of this project, and invites the public to submit written suggestions, comments, and concerns regarding this proposed project.
The Javelina Picnic Area was constructed in the 1940’s and has not seen much modification or upgrading since that time. The desired results for this upgrade include: improving safety and accessibility for the disabled, expanding opportunities for educational activities, improving the area’s appearance, and preserving important cultural features at the site.
“This picnic area is one of the prime attractions in the east district of the park,” according to Superintendent Sarah Craighead. “It is heavily used and is showing its age through wear-and-tear. This project gives us a chance to give the area a facelift. It will also allow us to improve facilities for educational programs for hundreds of schoolchildren who come to the park.”
The park will be preparing an Environmental Assessment to identify alternatives that meet project objectives, to evaluate impacts to park resources and values, and to develop mitigation measures which will lessen impacts.
The park encourages public participation throughout the planning process. More information is available online at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/sagu. Comments may be submitted through this website.
If you are not able to submit comments electronically, you may write to: Superintendent Saguaro National Park 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Tucson AZ 85730. The deadline for comments is May 12, 2006.
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