[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55414-55415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18819]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Draft South Denali Implementation Plan and Environmental Impact
Statement
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft South Denali Implementation
Plan and Environmental Impact Statement.
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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of
the Draft South Denali Implementation Plan and Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for Denali National Park and Preserve. The document
describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of a preferred
alternative and one action alternative for expanding visitor facilities
and access opportunities in the south Denali region. A no action
alternative also is evaluated. This notice announces the 60-day public
comment period and solicits comments on the draft plan and EIS.
DATES: Written comments on the draft plan and EIS must be received no
later than November 21, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the draft plan and EIS should be submitted to
the Superintendent, Denali National Park and Preserve, Post Office Box
9, Denali Park, Alaska 99755. Submit electronic comments to http://parkplanning.nps.gov. The draft EIS may be viewed online at http://www.southdenaliplanning.com. Hard copies or CDs of the Draft South
Denali Implementation Plan and EIS are available by request from the
aforementioned address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Tranel, Chief of Planning, Denali
National Park and Preserve. Telephone: (907) 644-3611.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Park Service (NPS) in
cooperation with the State of Alaska, and Matanuska Susitna Borough has
prepared a draft implementation plan and accompanying EIS for expanded
visitor facilities and access opportunities in the south Denali region.
The purpose of the plan and EIS is to address the needs of a growing
visitor population in the south Denali region for the next two decades.
The south Denali region is defined to include the southern portions of
Denali National Park and Preserve, Denali State Park in its entirety,
and adjoining lands owned and managed by the State of Alaska and the
Matanuska Susitna Borough. The implementation plan and EIS was
initiated to address the rapidly growing level of visitation, resource
management concerns, and anticipated demand for future uses of public
lands in the south Denali region.
The draft plan and EIS includes a range of alternatives based on
planning objectives, environmental resources, and public input. Each
alternative represents a development concept that addresses the needs
and concerns of the land managers, local communities, and visitors. Two
alternatives in addition to a no-action alternative were developed.
Alternative A (No Action): Under Alternative A, no new actions
would be implemented to support the 1997 Record of Decision for the
South Side Denali Development Concept Plan except for those projects
already approved and initiated. This alternative represents no change
from current management direction and therefore represents the existing
condition in the south Denali region. However, it does not ensure a
similar future condition which could be affected by factors unrelated
to this planning effort.
Alternative B: This destination facility in the Peters Hills would
serve package tourism, the independent traveler, local school groups,
and Alaskan travelers. Access to this facility would be from the
Trapper Creek area on the Petersville Road, and a new, seven mile
access road. The vision is for a high quality facility that offers a
range of opportunities for learning and recreating during the summer
months. Development of campgrounds, enhancements to local trail systems
and road corridors, and increased interpretive signage are also
components of this alternative.
Alternative C (Preferred Alternative): This destination facility
would be reached by a new four mile access road from the George Parks
Highway, and would serve package tourism, the independent traveler,
local school groups, and Alaskan travelers. The vision is for a high
quality facility that offers a range of opportunities for learning and
recreating from late spring to early fall. It would provide visitors of
various abilities a chance to experience a subarctic tundra environment
and opportunities to view Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range.
Development of campgrounds, enhancements to local trail systems and
road corridors, and increased interpretive signage are also components
of this alternative.
[[Page 55415]]
Informational and Public Meetings
Informational meetings and public hearings will be scheduled in
Alaska at the following locations: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla,
Susitna Valley, and McKinley Village. The specific dates and times of
the meetings and public hearings will be announced in local media. It
is the practice of the National Park Service to make comments,
including names and addresses of respondents, available for public
review. An individual respondent may request that we withhold his or
her address from the record, which we will honor to the extent
allowable by law. If you wish to have NPS withhold your name and/or
address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your
comments. NPS will make all submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
Dated: August 18, 2005.
Judy Gottlieb,
Acting Regional Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 05-18819 Filed 9-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P