Grand Canyon Limits Wait List

For Immediate Release

December 9, 2003

Dawn O’Sickey

Hold Placed on Adding Names to Noncommercial River Permit Waitlist

Grand Canyon, AZ – Grand Canyon National Park is placing a hold on adding new members to the noncommercial river permit waitlist.  As part of the current Colorado River Management Plan (CRMP) planning effort, park staff and planners are carefully examining and considering alternatives to the current waitlist permit system.  An overwhelming majority of public comments stated the opinion that the permit system should be overhauled.  With this in mind, park management does not want to perpetuate the current system while other alternatives are being considered.  There are now over 8,000 people on the waitlist, and more than 1,000 are typically added each year.  In the event that the current system is selected as part of the final CRMP decision, to be completed by December 31, 2004, the system for allowing additions to the waitlist would simply be reinstated. 

Until a record of decision is made for the CRMP, current waitlist members will be served in the same manner as they have been in the past.  They will soon receive the familiar annual letter regarding waitlist procedures, the schedule of release dates, and other topics.  The River Permits Office may be contacted at 1-800-959-9164 or 928-638-7843.  

Please go to www.nps.gov/grca for more information regarding Grand Canyon National Park.  Information about the Colorado River Management Plan may be found at www.nps.gov/grca/crmp.

– NPS –