The National Park Service is proposing a permit system at聽Arizona鈥檚 Grand Canyon National Park, which receives more than 1 million visitors each year, on Tuesday. The permits would cut back on the 30,000-plus overnight campers, backpackers, rock climbers, and runners who venture below the canyon鈥檚 rim and cause an increase in noise, litter, and bathroom line length鈥攁ll of which are common complaints among聽hikers.
In addition to limiting the number of people who stay below the rim at any given time, the permit system would help protect the desert environment and archaeological sites, , Arizona鈥檚 public radio station. Officials are also proposing a $5 day-hike permit for those venturing farther than five miles.
鈥淭his plan is really recognizing our wilderness resources and managing to preserve that wilderness character,鈥� Linda Jalbert, wilderness coordinator for the park, told KNAU. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not closing off any new areas.聽We鈥檙e just really looking at a different management strategy to better protect those areas.鈥�
The Park Service is currently seeking the public鈥檚 input regarding the聽proposed permits . Officials will also hold a public meeting to discuss the regulations聽on Monday, December 7, in Flagstaff, Arizona.