Grand Canyon to have new leader following harassment report

(AP) — The superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park has chosen retirement over a transfer after being told the park needed new leadership to address a longstanding pattern of sexual harassment and hostile work environments.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Uberuaga said he took the report by the Interior Department's Office of Inspector General seriously and had begun implementing change, including banning alcohol on agency river trips and later abolishing the river district.

Park Service spokesman Jeremy Barnum said new leadership will ensure that park employees are safe and respected while the agency assesses whether similar situations have occurred elsewhere.

Uberuaga and his deputy, Diane Chalfant, told investigators they were well aware of the history of alleged sexual harassment on the river, if not all the details, and tried to change the culture.

During his tenure at Grand Canyon, the park struggled with a backlog of maintenance, briefly shut down during a federal budget impasse, raised park entrance fees and fought an effort by a longtime concessionaire to trademark popular names at the park.