Posted on 02/07/2012 5:54:01 AM PST by SJackson
(Grand Canyon, AZ) - Grand Canyon National Park will eliminate the in-park sale of water packaged in individual disposable containers within 30 days under a plan approved Monday by National Park Service (NPS) Intermountain Regional (IMR) Director John Wessels. Free water stations are available throughout the park to allow visitors to fill reusable water bottles.
The park’s plan calls for the elimination of the sale of water packaged in individual disposable containers of less than one gallon, including plastic bottles and various types of boxes. The waste associated with disposable bottles comprises an estimated 20 percent of the park’s overall waste stream and 30 percent of the park’s recyclables.
Grand Canyon National Park’s plan was submitted and approved in accordance with the policy issued by NPS Director Jonathan B. Jarvis on December 14, 2011. Under the policy, parks are directed to implement a disposable plastic water bottle recycling and reduction policy, with an option to eliminate in-park sales – with the approval of the park’s regional director – following a thorough analysis of a variety of factors ranging from the cost to install water filling stations, to the cost and availability of BPA-free reusable containers, to potential effects on public safety.
Regional Director Wessels said, “Our parks should set the standard for resource protection and sustainability. Grand Canyon National Park has provided an excellent analysis of the impacts the elimination of bottled water would have, and has developed a well-thought-out plan for ensuring that the safety, needs and comfort of visitors continue to be met in the park," he said. "I feel confident that the impacts to park concessioners and partners have been given fair consideration and that this plan can be implemented with minimal impacts to the visiting public," Wessels added.
Grand Canyon National Park has experienced increasing amounts of litter associated with disposable plastic bottles along trails both on the rim and within the inner canyon, marring canyon viewpoints and visitor experiences.
“We want to minimize both the monetary and environmental costs associated with water packaged in disposable containers,” said Grand Canyon Superintendent Dave Uberuaga. “We are grateful to the Director for recognizing the need for service-wide guidance on this issue and for providing a thoughtful range of options.”
“A lot of careful thought went into this plan and its implementation,” said Director Jarvis. “I applaud Grand Canyon National Park for its efforts to reduce waste and the environmental impacts created by individually packaged water. This is another example of The National Park Service’s commitment to being an exemplar of the ways we can all reduce our imprint on the land as we embrace sustainable practices that will protect the parks for generations to come.”
Read more: KCSG Television - Grand Canyon National Park to Eliminate Sale of Water in Disposable Containers
Um, they don't have an attendance problem.
I agree; when I go on a trip, the only thing I absolutely have to buy is gasoline and I also have a 32 gal tank in case stations are scarce along the way. Everything else is stocked up in the rig before I go.
JC
My friends always want to load up with all kinds of food and drink before setting out.
I explain that we’ll probably NEVER be father away from a store than 100 miles or so; no matter HOW remote the places we visit out west.
Not sure this policy will accomplish much, and I agree the issue is more landfill related than trail trash. Trash is a big problem, but they’re not banning bottles from the park, only their sale. The NPS may not have noticed, but lots of people buy them by the case, not the bottle. And you can buy them outside the park. Deposits would be a good idea, but probably unworkable for a single park. As Elsie correctly points out, one might be foolish to depend on water refilling stations being full. And they’re seasonal, I’ve only been down the corridor trails in winter and early spring, and there’s no water other than at Indian Garden and the bottom. I wouldn’t rely on stations. And if you don’t want to leave the park, there’s always beer. The article address’ water only, if that’s the case therell be plenty of juices and flavored juices in disposable bottles sold.
Yes, usually, but there is always the chance of a breakdown on a long empty road or even many miles off road that strands me for days, so I always have food, drink and camping gear along too. I’m fairly careful, but it has happened, so the only thing that was hurt was my pride!
JC
Why aren’t the libby tree huggers volunteering and cleaning it up?
I thought that is what they were for! lol
One word: Canteen.
Every one of us Boy Scouts had one.
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