"The National Park Service is proposing the extension of rules for boating on the Colorado River through part of Grand Canyon National Park to the landmark's entire 277-mile river corridor.
The proposal, set for publication in the Federal Register on Monday, would extend existing limitations for boating on the 226 miles of the river in the Grand Canyon upstream from Diamond Creek to the last 51 miles of the waterway that ends at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
The proposed rule would require that all commercial boat trips on the Colorado River in the park, including those operated by local Native American tribes like the Hualapai, be authorized by the Park Service via permit, contract or other agreement.
The proposal also requires that all noncommercial river trips be authorized under a permit issued by the park superintendent and allows the park chief to limit or alter permits issued for use of the Colorado River."
Eric Bontrager reports for Greenwire in the New York Times July 10, 2009.
