DCC questions commercial activity at Denali's Toklat Rest Stop
We have always supported maintaining the primitive character of Denali's famous road, which traverses 80 miles through designated Wilderness. This road provides opportunities to glimpse large mammals such as caribou, bears, moose and sheep. In addition, the vast distances, glacial landscapes and tundra hillsides are emblematic of subarctic wilderness. Although park plans have included new infrastructure and development along the road, commercial activities have been prohibited at rest stops. Recently NPS determined that a temporary bookstore at Toklat Rest Stop could be maintained indefinitely. We opposed this move as against planning intent for Toklat. To read our letter to NPS Superintendent Paul Anderson regarding this, click here.

State Legislators respond to Denali Borough call for Stampede State Recreation Area
Last winter, the Denali Borough passed a resolution proposing a State Recreation Area in the approximately three townships surrounded by Denali National Park west of Healy. Management of these lands under the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation has been welcomed by the author of the resolution, Assembly member David Evans, and a growing number of local residents. Although questions remain, and we had some reservations about the initial legislation proposed by Senator Joe Thomas and Representative David Guttenberg, we remain cautiously optimistic about this move to guide development in this popular,biologically rich and sensitive area. To see a recent article in the DCC News on this proposal, click here. Stampede State Recreation Bills have been introduced in both houses of the Alaska Legislature as SB 173 and HB 241. .

Road Design - final standards published in 2007
DCC has been involved in this process and we made comments throughout. Final Standards were recently published with minimal fanfare.
To read them, click here.
To read response to public comments, click here.


Gas development Ordinance passed by Denali Borough Assembly -
Several areas of borough to exclude gas infrastructure
Denali Citizens Council has followed this application process since 2003. We've sponsored four public meetings in Healy on this topic. DCC proposed that no gas exploration be permitted west of the Nenana River, given the many unknowns of this project. Click on the links below for more information. Over the past year, the Denali Borough Assembly has considered several ordinance-based approaches to the problem of gas development. Recently, the Assembly passed Ordinance 05-21, which proposes to exclude gas development infrastructure from several areas in the borough. We see this as a positive step and a true compromise that combines the potential for gas development with community planning and considers the needs of residents and tourism providers. Stay tuned to our website for maps and more information on this ordinance.

To read more on the history of gas development in the Healy area and other areas, click here.

North Access Reconnaissance Study Complete
No Action is recommended
DCC continues to monitor the North Denali Access Route Reconnaissance Study, conducted by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. DOT has engaged the services of a contractor, CH2MHill of Anchorage, to assist in the study. The final study has recently been released and will be made available on the study's website in pdf form.

South Denali Development Plan released
Visit planning website at www.southdenaliplanning.com
Over the summer and fall work has progressed on some aspects of the final plan. We have urged the cooperative team to be sure that the increases in use inspired by a large, new visitor center along the Parks Highway will be managed, with special attention to be paid to infrastructure development along the highway, and trail management to fairly accommodate the needs snowmachines, ATVs and quiet users.

NPS releases FONSI on Cantwell ORV Management
Implementation Plan EA to be published this Fall
The National Park Service, after gathering information from past and recent studies, has determined that off road vehicles were traditionally employed for subsistence activities prior to 1980, in certain areas of Denali Park near Cantwell, Alaska. After a period of public comment on the draft plan closed in late July, NPS took a little over a month to consider comments and come up with their final plan. Our comments urged NPS to narrowly define a qualified subsistence user in order to avoid damaging increases in use under this bill. We also asked NPS to leave a built trail along the Bull River out of the final plan, as damaging to wilderness resources and not necessary to provide adequate access to traditional areas.
To see a copy of the DCC comments on the draft plan, click here.
To see a copy of the signed final decision, click here.
We urge NPS to reconsider building a trail where one does not currently exist near the Bull River, and to clarify how a qualified subsistence user will be defined under this plan.


Final Denali Backcountry Management Plan released
Record of Decision signed in April 2006
After 2 years of rewriting the original plan, NPS released the Revised BCMP. After over two months of review, we have sent in our comments. The Final Plan is expected to come out this fall. To read a pdf copy of our comments, click here. We had 20 pages of concerns, centering around avoiding inappropriate development in Denali's backcountry, getting control of illegal recreational snowmachining, and effectively enforcing the plan's standards.

Check this website and our newsletter for further updates. And Thank you to all who sent in comments.
More on the Backcountry Plan

Denali additions open to "Snowmobiling for Traditional Activities" this past winter
(now closed)
Despite differences of opinion regarding the meaning of "traditional activities," and without an existing definition in law, the National Park Service opened parts of Denali's southern additions to snowmachining this winter - for traditional activities. DCC has long held that a definition of traditional activities for Denali's additions like the one for the core park is a priority. Without it, inappropriate off road motorized activities will gain momentum in Denali National Park. If you are disturbed by this trend, let us know at mail@denalicitizens.org.

Ten Reasons to Invest in Denali National Park
Recent budget cuts at the federal level have the potential to cripple Denali's efforts to preserve wilderness values and provide for a quality visitor experience.In response, and in partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association, DCC recently released a list of ten reasons to invest in Denali Park.
To read the press release, click here.

BOG retains Denali Wolf Buffers
Alaska Board of Game met Feb 26-Mar 10, 2004
The Board of Game retained the Stampede buffer and a sliver of the Margaret buffer. These designations will not be revisited for three years.To read the Anchorage Daily News article, click here.
To read DCC's comments to the Board of Game,click here.
To read a history of the Denali wolf buffers, click here.