Grand Canyon-Adjacent Development Revises Plans to Pave Roads Through National Forest

"The town of Tusayan and an Italian developer are launching a new effort to build resorts and hundreds of homes south of the Grand Canyon, submitting a proposal to the U.S. Forest Service that would allow for paving roads and running electricity to two properties," reports Ian James. 

An earlier version of the plan, submitted in 2016, prompted an outpouring of opposition. The current plan is designed to respond to those concerns, according to the article.

"Among the changes, [Stilo Development Group USA] has committed not to use groundwater for the commercial portion of the development, and to instead rely on hauling in water with trucks. In the 19-page proposal, the town and the company say that groundwater could still be used for the residential areas of the developments," according to James. The plan also calls for density one-third less than current zoning calls for in the area.

The article includes more details of the land uses in and around Tusayan, as context for the development plans. James also devotes significant word count to the case made by opponents of the project, like the Sierra Club, which finds faults with the size of the project.