Event Guidlines

Note: Failure to comply with any guideline, other guidelines applicable to the event, or violations of any law, ordinance or regulation will be a basis for suspension or revocation of the event.

• The group, in exercising the privileges granted by this event, is required to comply with all applicable federal, state, county and local laws, ordinances, regulations, codes, event requirements, and conditions as well as Departmental guidelines and park regulations contained in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations
• The group will name a person to be their contact who will have full authority to speak for the group and must remain on-site at all times during the event. He/she will be responsible for all individuals involved with the event (Dean Ketelsen)
• Should any major problems or concerns arise, they should be directed to Dean Ketelsen who will then bring the issue to the NPS representative.
• A member of the park staff will supervise the event and volunteer group as well as respond to all on-site decisions. This includes the authority to make all decisions to assure compliance with event guidelines, applicable regulations, and Management Policies. Permit supervisor will have the authority to amend event guidelines as needed to assure protection of Grand Canyon natural and cultural resources and to assure protection of visitor experience. Permit supervisor will make daily decisions regarding the event based on visitor use within high use visitor areas, equipment use within those areas, and set up of equipment based on safety and disruption to natural and cultural resources and visitor experience. The group's representative and all participating support staff will comply with all directions, special instructions or requests made by the NPS representative in charge. (Raquel Gallardo)
• The event will be well planned and scheduled. Last minute changes will not be accommodated unless the changes are contingent upon weather or other emergency conditions. All changes are subject to apporval by the NPS representative.
• The event is only for the use of the specific area and dates designated. Issuance of these guidelines does not provide exclusive use of any area or building within Grand Canyon National Park. It does not grant permission for activites in other areaa in the park or in areas outside of the park. Park buildings, facilities, and grounds will not be open to the group until the time(s) approved. The area for which the event is approved will remain open to the public. Group activites will not interfere with park visitors or normal visitor operations. Activities within high visitor use areas will only be authorized if other visitors in the area will not be adversely impacted by the group's activity and only with the approval of the NPS representative.
• If an event requires electrical power from the NPS, prior special arrangements will be made.
• If the group desires to remain overnight, arrangements must be approved in advance by the NPS representative. Special restrictions in terms of parking and use of any area may be imposed. Special arrangements must be made with the park for overnight use of the campground.
• Utmost care will be taken by the group to see that no natural, recreational, or cultural features are impaired, especially during loading/unloading and set-up/take-down activities. The area will be cleared and restored to its prior condition or left in a condition satisfactory to the NPS representative in charge.
• Social science studies reveal that visitors appreciate their solitude most at the beginning and end of each day. The group's activity is not allowed to negatively impact the park visitor's experience. Courtesy must be used at all times.
• The area(s) used by the permittee will be left in the same or better condition than prior to the beginning of the event as determined by the NPS representative.
• Any loading/unloading must be done from designated area or roadways.
• Public address systems, sound amplification equipment, and/or motorized equipment will only be allowed when prior permission has been requested and approved. If approved, audio ampliplification must comply with CFR 36, Section 2.12 Audio Disturbances, 1(i) which prohibits operating motorized equipment or machinery in a manner that exceeds a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet; or, if below that level, nevertheless; (ii) makes noise which is unreasonable, considering the nature and purpose of the actor's conduce, location, time of day or night, purpose for which the area was established, impact on park users, and other factors that would govern the conduct of a reasonable prudent person under the circumstances. Noise level is not allowed to interfere with other visitor activites. No motorized equipment has been authorized for this event. The use/release of helium balloons within the park is prohibited.
• Food and drink are not permitted in park buildings unless prior permission has been requested and approved. Special restrictions apply to any activity which will include food and drink including compliance with additional conditions and a prior on-site visit by any approved caterer. The consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or the possession of a receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage which open, or whose seal is broken, is prohibited unless prior permission has been requested and approved. No candles or open flame are permitted in park buildings. Smoking is not permitted in park buildings.
• No manners or signs may be hung from, or on, any park building without approval. The design and method of hanging any sign must have prior approval and arrangements must be made in advance.
• Personal and/or/company banners and signs are completely prohibited, with the exception of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association sign that is hung each year on the fence at Yavapai Observation Station (YOS) to advertise the Star Party.
• If any condor is observed grounded or in flight, group and all other parties are to keep themselves a minimum distance of 300 ft. away. Do not attempt to haze the bird. Should all reasonable measures to protect the condor fail, then an emergency closure will be implemented under the authority of Title 36, CFR, Section 1.5(a).
• Any Special instructions recieved from the NPS representative will be complied with.
• Group behavior will be consistent with park employee guidelines. Each individual will assist visitors, concessioners, and other park employees in a courteous manner.
• As volunteers for the park, the group represents the park and as such, will uphold the Park Service Mission: "To conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therin, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
• As park representatives, we do not advise any visitors to hike to the river and back in one day. Safety is forst and foremost on our list of importance!
• As volunteers for the park, you must identify yourself as such. In conjunction, you may also identify that you are from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. Each program presenter will identify Star Party 2000 as a co-sponsored event between Grand Canyon National Park and the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association.
• Remember that YOS is a very popular spot for sunset and because of this, it has a major parking problem. Do not add to the problem by using more parking spaces than necessary to set up your telescope. If you wish to park your vehicle and set up your scope before sunset, you must follow these restrictions: Telescopes that occupy approximately 4 ft diameter of space should be set up on the sidewalk by your vehicle or immediately behind your vehicle on the lot in a way that would not impede visitor flow and is still safe. Larger telescopes may take up one parking space beside the owner's vehicle.
• Volunteer or volunteer's equipment may not restrict visitor access or flow through any park area.
• No vehicles may park on the curb/sidewalks.
• The group will not drive their vehicles into restricted areas - Hermit Rest Road and the access road to Yaki Point/South Kaibab Trailhead. If they wish to utilize these areas, they must access the area via shuttle bus unless approval has been given by the NPS representative.