Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of March 8, 2021
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This week’s numbers at a glance:
- The average number of new cases per day in Arizona is 1,345, similar to the number of 1,187 on average per day last week.
- As of Thursday, the total number of cases in the 86023 zip code since the pandemic began is 193. This number represents cases both inside and outside the park.
- There are no new reported cases in the park this week and one existing active case.
- Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 44 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
- More detailed statistics are available on the Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard.
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Navajo Nation Stay-at-Home Order Continues Through March 15
- The Navajo Nation stay-at-home order on the entire reservation remains in place for one additional week through March 15, 2021. The new order continues daily curfew hours between the hours of 9 p.m.-5 a.m.
- Grand Canyon has no restrictions for park residents to come or go between the park and the Navajo Nation.
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Reminder:
If you test positive or become ill, please report your situation to your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant immediately.
This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed, and that any exposure to the virus is minimized. For employees who need to quarantine because of COVID exposure, talk to your supervisor about options for leave categories if you can’t telework.
- Don Hoeschele, Commander, U.S. Public Health Service, Mobile: (928) 522-3095, Email: don_hoeschele@nps.gov. Note: with Don Hoeschele’s upcoming departure, look for more information in next week’s wrap-up on new NPS public health contacts.
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This Week’s COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The State and County have made significant progress in vaccine administration.
As of Monday March 8th:
- Approximately 23% of Americans had received 1 vaccine dose, and approximately 12% were fully vaccinated.
- Approximately 19% of Arizonans had received 1 vaccine dose, and approximately 11% have received both doses and are fully vaccinated
- In Coconino County approximately 29% of the population have received the 1st dose, with 14% fully vaccinated by receiving both doses.
Remember that we’ll need to continue to follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until after the vaccine has been administered to a majority of the population.
Please, make a plan to get the vaccine when it is available to you.
There is new CDC guidance for fully-vaccinated individuals:
- When you are off duty and in your personal residence, you may interact with other individuals who are also fully vaccinated in pre-pandemic ways.
- While on duty, in any federal facilities, or on federal lands, you must follow DOI policy on wearing masks, social distancing and other COVID mitigation requirements.
- You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after you have received both doses of a 2-dose series vaccine or one dose of a 1-series vaccine.
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COVID-19 Testing Details
- The Grand Canyon Clinic has hours for COVID testing on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. If you need a test outside of this hour, you need an order from your health care provider indicating a test is warranted.
- In Flagstaff, COVID testing is available at Coconino Community College at 2800 South Lone Tree Road, and the NAU Fieldhouse at 1050 Knoles Drive.
- Testing is also available at other locations in Flagstaff, including:
- Walgreens on 4th Street
- NextCare Urgent Care
- The Veterans Affairs Clinic
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Nampeyo, Hopi-Tewa Potter and Grand Canyon Resident
Nampeyo (1859-1942), one of the best-known Hopi-Tewa potters and the matriarch of a long line of distinguished potters. Nampeyo was born to the Hopi Corn Clan on First Mesa and had already become well-known as a potter by her 20’s, having first learned to make utilitarian forms from her mother and grandmother. Her artistic skills were influenced by the proto-historic pottery and designs found at archeological sites like Sikyatki, where her husband was an excavation assistant. The pottery she found there was less prone to cracking than contemporary pottery, so she perfected ancient methods and designs in creating her own pottery and was a leader in what became known as the Sikyati Revival style.
In 1905, Nampeyo became the first artist-in-residence at the newly opened Hopi House at Grand Canyon, where she demonstrated and sold her artwork. She had agreed to stay for 3 months but needed to be back at the Mesas in time for planting season. Nampeyo also did another 3-month residency at Hopi House in 1907. In 1910, she traveled cross-country to demonstrate and exhibit her in-demand pottery pieces. In 2010, one of her pots sold in auction for $350,000. There is also a crater on Mercury named after her.
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Spring Disturbance Flow at Glen Canyon Dam
March 15-26, 2021, the Department of the Interior will implement a spring disturbance water release from Glen Canyon Dam. The disturbance flow will not affect the monthly or annual water release volumes from Lake Powell and will not affect boaters on Lake Powell or Lake Mead. Boaters rafting through Grand Canyon already have been advised of variable flows of 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) beginning March 15 that will gradually increase to a peak of 20,150 cfs by March 22.
The change in flow provides a research opportunity for USGS and NPS scientists. Superintendent Keable and a team from Science and Resource Management will be on the river during low-flow operations, and will be able to witness some of the science first-hand. USGS and NPS staff will conduct a food base study to answer questions about how this low flow impacts algae production. If algae production changes, our scientists will see what positive impact, if any, it will it have on the endangered Humpback Chub and non-native trout in the river.
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NEW Combined Community and Stakeholder Calls Begin Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. starting March 17
Beginning Wednesday, March 17, the weekly stakeholder and community calls will be combined into one call. The new time will be on Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
Call in: 877-491-6221
Participant Code: 7074828#
If you are not an NPS employee, look for an email calendar invite for this meeting from the GRCA public affairs office. There will no longer be a 5 p.m. call. If you do not receive an invite please email: grca_public_affairs@nps.gov to be included.
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2020 Grand Canyon Visitation and Park Statistics Now Available
Last week the NPS released its 2020 visitation statistics. Service-wide the NPS saw 237 million visitors and a 28% decrease from the previous year due largely to temporary park closures and restrictions implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Grand Canyon saw a total of 2.9 million visitors and dropped from the second-most visited national park (a position it held for 30 years) to the sixth most-visited. Overall, park-wide visitation decreased by 51% from 2019.
We are down in revenue from all our income sources. What we know so far is our income is reduced as follows:
- $4.737M in Federal Lands Recreational Enhancement Act funds
- $1M in Transportation Fees
- $10M less in Concession Franchise Fees than previous years
These funds support many programs and park management continues to work on programming costs with these smaller revenue projection amounts in mind.
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NEW-Rental Assistance Available for Coconino County Residents
The Arizona Department of Economic Security is now offering rental assistance in Coconino County through DES’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Renters and landlords can receive up to $3,500 per month in rent and utility assistance. Applications will be accepted through the program’s expiration on December 31, 2021 or until funding is exhausted.
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Annual Law Enforcement Refresher Training
This week, 22 Grand Canyon Law Enforcement Rangers are participating in an annual law enforcement refresher training on the South Rim.
Training will include topics such as crisis management and negotiation, use of force, firearms, victim witness response, and legal updates. This training is a vital part of an annual 40-hour requirement for National Park Service law enforcement.
Thank you to the FBI, the Flagstaff Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Office, Coconino County Victim Witness Services, and the NPS Investigative Services Branch for helping assist in training this year.
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Women’s History Spotlight: The “NPS Wives and Women Handbook”
We’ve come a long way, baby! As recently as 1967, The National Park Service Wives and Women Handbookgave special advice to women who had married into the service.
On page six, the handbook advised NPS wives that “Most men choose the Park Service as a career because of their special interest or skill. They quickly become very involved in their work. If you don’t want to be left out, be sure share his interests, read everything you can get your hands on that pertains to his field of work, and listen to him…. Just one word of caution. The job is his, not yours. Don’t intrude into official duties.”
To learn more about women’s history, we recommend the following websites:
- The Women’s Employee Resource Group works to advance gender equity within the NPS. The W-ERG provides employees of all gender identifications with educational resources, peer-to-peer support, mentoring, and professional development.
- Women’s History Month – NPS Celebrates! shares stories of triumphs and struggle from women across the NPS and celebrates the achievements of women-identified employees working in regions and disciplines across NPS. The site also showcases women’s history directly connected to the stories of all Americans.
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Are you woman employee working for the Department of Interior? Tell your story!
The Connections magazine team is planning a very special issue to commemorate Women’s History Month by focusing on the phenomenal Women of Interior! Please help us tell this story by answering a few questions:
- What would you say was the greatest success (and challenge) of your federal career?
- What advice would you give your younger self about how to navigate your career and work/life balance?
- Who was the most inspiring woman you’ve known and why?
- What words of encouragement would you give to women joining DOI?
We welcome submissions by everyone regardless of their time in service, grade, title, etc. We want to tell a story of inclusion and diversity, so please don’t hesitate to step forward!
Deadline is close of business Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
(NPS Photo: Claire Marie Hodges, first female park ranger at Yellowstone National Park)
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Current Operational Updates
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Grand Canyon Helitack assisted Zion National Park for a short haul mission of an injured hiker on March 9 (NPS)
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Desert View Accessibility
- The East entrance gate remains closed to through traffic on Highway 64.
- Desert View is currently accessible to visitors. Areas include the parking lot, paved trails, and the overlook.
- All facilities remain closed, including all facilities operated by NPS, Grand Canyon Conservancy, and Delaware North.
- Park residents are allowed to continue to come and go through the secured gates outside of the entrance station. If there is an issue with the combination lock at the gate, please contact dispatch immediately.
Concessions updates:
- Xanterra:
- Grand Canyon Railway will begin running two trains per day beginning March 13.
- Maswik Lodge North will reopen March 13.
- Bright Angel Lounge (aka Fred Harvey Tavern) will reopen March 18 from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Delaware North:
- Yavapai Tavern & Patio reopening-March 12, open 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
- Yavapai Gift Shop will also reopen March 12, open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Yavapai Coffee Shop reopening-March 13, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Desert View Trading Post, Ice Cream Shop, and the Gas Station will reopen April 2
- Bright Angel Bikes will begin renting bikes and starting bike tours March 12
The following park closures remain in place:
- East Entrance gate
- Desert View services
- All residential areas
- South Rim Visitor Center and Headquarters
- South Rim Backcountry Information Center
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