Civic engagement (public comment)

Maintenance staff in Death Valley National Park are dealing with increasing numbers of water and wastewater system breaks. Water systems failed 45 times and there were five major sewer leaks in one year. The National Park Service (NPS) has funding from the Great American Outdoors Act to rehabilitate the water and wastewater systems at Furnace Creek and Cow Creek in 2024. The NPS is seeking public feedback on this project proposal.

These water and wastewater systems serve 1.7 million visitors per year and NPS employees. Furnace Creek water system also provides water to Timbisha Village and The Oasis at Death Valley.

The NPS proposes to rehabilitate the water and wastewater systems at Furnace Creek and Cow Creek, two of the largest utilities in Death Valley National Park. These systems have exceeded their lifespan and will be rehabilitated and replaced.

The proposed improvements will enhance employee and visitor experiences by providing more reliable service. The systems will be designed to support anticipated future visitation levels and potential future facilities.

Modifications will protect natural resources by reducing sewage spills and reducing water loss via pipe seepage and breaks.

The systems will be upgraded to meet regulatory codes. Safety modifications will benefit NPS utility operators. NPS operations will benefit by reduced frequency of emergency repairs.

The public can review and comment on this proposal online at:
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/WaterWastewater

Comments will be accepted until June 16, 2023. The NPS will consider all feedback in preparation of an environmental assessment (EA), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to develop and evaluate alternatives. Once complete, there will be a second opportunity for public comment on the EA early next year.

Topic Questions:

1. What suggestions do you have for us to consider when modifying the Furnace Creek and Cow Creek water and wastewater systems?

2. What other comments do you have about the proposed rehabilitation and replacement of the deteriorating water and wastewater systems in the Furnace Creek and Cow Creek developed areas of Death Valley National Park?

Document Content:

Civic Engagement Newsletter.pdf   (2.1 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.