Archives West Finding Aid

The Grand Canyon management plan collection (1967-1974) contains memoranda and correspondence concerning meeting reviews, new regulations, research requirements, and safety procedures in Grand Canyon National Park. These memorandums and letters were written by the government offices of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and Grand Canyon National Park and sent to river running companies or vice versa. One letter in the collection goes from company to company. Two memoranda review meetings conducted between the Colorado River Outfitters and the National Park Service in 1972 and the River Runners and the Grand Canyon National Park in 1974. These reviews were compiled by Perry Thompson, a ranger at Lees Ferry. Other correspondence in the collection, one from the president of Western River Guides Association, contains information concerning the danger levels of rapids. Management problems concerning campsites and requirements for the upcoming season are discussed in letters addressed to river running companies. A rebuttal to motorized boat research from a family owned river running company, as well as a response from Grand Canyon National Park concerning motorized transportation on the river, are included. A group of letters, written in 1971, express ideas about developing new and improved life jackets. Documents in the collection also mention life jacket improvements and prototype updates. A meeting review that suggests an orientation should be developed for arriving visitors is accompanied by two orientation pamphlets, one a sample developed by the National Park Service, the other a copy of an actual pamphlet given to visitors concerning river safety and behavior compiled by Sanderson River Expeditions. The final document in the collection is the only company to company letter, and concerns the established rates for mules used to carry gear for visitors.