DCC opposes conveyance that could lead to Glitter Gulch North
Your Comments needed by July 31, 2008 (1 week)

All citizens who care about the future of the Denali area should be concerned that the State of Alaska is about to convey hundreds of acres in the Nenana Canyon to the Denali Borough. Such a conveyance will remove their current state classification as wildlife habitat and make them vulnerable to sale and development. It is time for
the public to comment on this Preliminary Decision by
the Alaska Department of Natural Resources to convey these lands to the Borough.

We argue that these lands should simply stay in state ownership and be managed for public recreation and wildlife habitat. Among these lands are hundreds of
acres of high value habitat and lands with scenic value
in the Northern Nenana Canyon, shown on the attached map.

Name of Proposed Conveyance:
Nenana Canyon, ADL 415636, especially those sections between the Moody Bridge and Iceworm Gulch.

Talking points:

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recommended retaining these lands in state ownership because they are important habitat for moose, grizzly bear, black bear, and various birds of prey. The agency also indicated the area was one of the most important recreation areas in the state north of Denali.

State reclassification and/or Borough ownership would enable development of this land and extension of “Glitter Gulch” northward toward Healy. The high development value of this land would give the Borough a strong financial incentive to develop. The Borough has no land use regulation.

The wild, mountainous vistas in the canyon are an important part of the experience for visitors to Denali , whether on the road, the railroad, or the river. By contrast, Glitter Gulch is one of the most complained-about developments in the state. Replacing one of the most scenic stretches of highway in the state with strip development would be tragic.

The state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities would like to retain the option of having a freeway between Anchorage and Fairbanks . Unlike other sections of the highway, there is no option for a bypass through the canyon. The Nenana Canyon business area (Glitter Gulch) has already proven impossible to bypass or to retain 55-65 mph speeds. If developments extend through the canyon, options for a freeway become fewer and more expensive. In addition, turning traffic would create numerous safety hazards.

It is easy to peer into the future and see the huge costs the state will incur fixing the land use and transportation problems that will arise if this land is conveyed. Or the state can avoid all of those future issues and retain the land in its ownership now.
We urge you to visit the MLE website to review the state's Preliminary Decision and maps. At the very least plan to comment on the above selections, which are of concern to state residents and Denali Park visitors alike. In your comments, state the name of the selection. Use the above talking points and your own knowledge of the area

MLE website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/muni/index.htm

Send your comments by July 31, 2008 to:
Merry Johnson
550 W. 7th Ave.
Suite 1050
Anchorage , AK 99501-3579
mailto:merry.johnson@alaska.gov

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.

NPS releases FONSI on Cantwell ORV Management
Implementation Plan EA to be published in 2007

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

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.