DCC and Friends of Stampede comment on NEON scientific site
November 30, 2011
To view DCC’s and Friends of Stampede’s comments on this proposed ecological monitoring site near 8 Mile Lake, you may click the links below. Stay tuned to our website for more information on the permitting process for this site. Check our previous post for more information on the purpose of the NEON project and its implications.
DCC NEON Healy Site Comments – November 2011
Friends of Stampede comments on NEON site 11.30.11
Permit for NEON scientific site on state lands near Healy- Comment deadline this Wednesday
November 27, 2011
DCC thanks Friends of Stampede for providing information on this proposed scientific installation, to be situated on state lands near 8 Mile Lake. The proposed site is part of a nationwide network of monitoring sites to be deployed by the National Ecologic Observatory Network (NEON) under the auspices of the National Science Foundation.
Map of proposed site.
NEON has applied to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for a permit to install the site on the upper Stampede Road, about a half mile south of the road. The plan of operations states that the installation will be temporary, 5-7 years, but the site will need electric power and the applicant has asked that power lines be installed to the site. This would involve construction of power lines either up the Stampede Road or through some part of the Panguingue Creek subdivision. Locals are reasonably concerned regarding the long-term implications of this single-purpose utility construction into an undisturbed area. Possible moving of the site to an area closer to existing power lines has been suggested. Some have asked for continued extension of comments to allow representatives of NEON to come to the borough and explain the project.
We urge you to comment to DNR regarding this permit application. Check the NEON website for additional information, see the Friends of Stampede website, where a variety of materials are linked and concerns documented.
Comments to DNR are due this Wednesday, September 30th, to AJ Wait at the Division of Mining, Land and Water: aj.wait@alaska.gov. You may call Mr. Wait for more information at 907-451-2777.
Mission of the Project (from NEON website): The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) will collect data across the United States on the impacts of climate change, land use change and invasive species on natural resources and biodiversity. NEON is a project of the U.S. National Science Foundation, with many other U.S. agencies and NGOs cooperating.
NEON will be the first observatory network of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales over multiple decades. The data NEON collects will be freely and openly available to all users.
Read DCC’s updated Vehicle Management Plan comments
October 16, 2011
A VTS bus pauses below Stony Overlook
We recently completed another round of comments on the Draft Denali Vehicle Management Plan, after continued discussion with members, constituents and the National Park Service. Our comments provide greater detail on our concerns about the plan, and suggestions for improvements. We remain very skeptical about the capacity of either action alternative to fully protect park resources, and we continue to argue for a firm vehicle capacity number. Please read our latest comments below. And remember, comment deadline is October 31st. Look for more comment suggestions in the next 10 days.
DCC News – VMP comments 10-15-11-web
For more information, see the resources on our page for the Denali Vehicle Management Plan.
To comment on the plan, visit the NPS PEPC website.
NPS contemplates extending guided hiking on frontcountry trails
July 18, 2011
Superintendent Paul Anderson recently sent a letter to stakeholders asking for input on expanding commercially guided hiking to the McKinley Station Trail and the Savage Alpine Trail, the latter of which is presently under construction. The 2006 Backcountry Management Plan authorized guided hiking on several specific entrance area trails. The McKinley Station Trail was not mentioned at the time of the plan, and guiding hiking on the Savage Alpine Trail was allowed only for those commercial groups staying at Savage Campground. Read more
May-June DCC News highlights Annual Meeting, Vehicle Management, Wolf Census, Redistricting, Trash pickup on Stampede Road
July 1, 2011
Our May-June 2011 Newsletter, now at press, provides an eclectic mix of articles.
A cover article on our recent Annual Meeting provides pictures and a recap of this popular event.
“A New Vehicle Management Plan for Denali – will it be better?” by Nancy Bale, provides some history behind the move to change how buses and other vehicles are allocated in Denali Park. The EIS for this plan is expected any day.
“Board of Game considers allowing motorized Hunting in the Yanert,” by Anne Beaulaurier, reviews the recent proposal before the Alaska Board of Game to add a late season motorized hunt and details the local opposition.
“Gas Bullet Line Skirting Denali NP would be largest project on Continent,” by Cass Ray, discusses this mammoth effort that remains at the planning stages, for now.
Other interesting articles appear, on the massive changes to the Denali area’s voting district, the Parks Highway interpretive plan, the Stampede Road Cleanup, and more.
For an online version of the newsletter, click the link below.
May-June 2011 DCC News
Support Tangle Lakes State Wildlife Refuge
April 3, 2011
Our good friends at the Copper Country Alliance have made a smart and benefiical proposal to establish a State Wildlife Refuge in a portion of the Tangle Lakes Watershed. This is country at the eastern end of the Denali Highway that many of us have visited and enjoyed, great for water recreation, hiking and berry picking. Have a look at the Tangle Lakes website for more information, and check out DCC’s latest alert for what YOU CAN DO to advocate for this Refuge.
Comments on Military Training Areas due Friday March 4
March 3, 2011
The military will accept comments for two more days, through March 4th, on changes to ground and air training areas known as the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC). The proposals, a joint effort of multiple branches of the military, would affect airspace throughout Alaska and would increase ground operations in the Interior. Specifics include extended nighttime training hours, including airspace above Denali National Park and Preserve in what is known as the Susitna MOA. Expanded flight training areas and lowered flight ceilings (down to 500 feet above ground level) are proposed over the Denali Highway. Expanded land use, including northern portions of the Denali Borough, would include the use of live ordnance. Comments made now are part of the early stages of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) development. DCC’s comments, recommending no action on the alternatives proposed, align with a variety of local individuals and groups, including the Denali Borough Assembly and the Middle Nenana Fish and Game Advisory Committee. More information and an online comment form can be found at the JPARC website. Contact DCC Board Member Hannah Ragland for more information at hbragland@hotmail.com. Read DCC’s comments by clicking on the link below.
JPARC Comments-DCC_Feb_18_2011
Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council to meet this Friday in Anchorage – December 3, 2010
November 28, 2010
Campbell Creek Science Center located at 5500 Science Center Drive in Anchorage
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DCC Members who find themselves in Anchorage this Friday should plan to drop in for all or part of this meeting. For directions or an agenda, email me at nancy@denalicitizens.org. The meeting is open to the public and has time allocated for public testimony. You may submit written and/or oral comments.
Why the need for an Overflights Advisory Council During the planning process to complete the 2006 Denali National Park & Preserve Backcountry Management Plan, the public identified impacts from aircraft overflights and airplane landings as a critical issue. While aircraft are an important means of visitor access to remote areas of the park, overflights and landings have resulted in substantial changes in the natural sound environment and have generated new conflicts with park users on the ground. In order to identify efforts that should be made to reduce impacts from aircraft overflights, the Overflights Advisory Council was created. The council will advise the Secretary of the Interior on measures for achieving desired future resource conditions as outlined in the Backcountry Management Plan. The Council will also develop voluntary measures for assuring the safety of passengers, pilots, and mountaineers.
The Council formed in 2007 and has already met 8 times, convening meetings in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali and Talkeetna. Items of interest on the agenda usually include presentations by the soundscape specialists from Denali National Park. The park is, at present, analyzing its entire soundscape and the council has identified certain “hotspots” or problem areas where non-natural sound may be a factor in resource integrity. The Council promotes education and awareness of this issue, and works together with commercial air service providers and park staff to develop solutions.
Additonal information on the Overflights Advisory Council is available at: http://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/aoac.htm If you have any questions about the meeting, contact Nancy Bale at 907-277-3825. I am a member of the Council, representing local environmental interests. You may email me, too at nancy@denalicitizens.org.
Public Input Requested on McKinley/Foraker Cost Recovery Special Mountaineering Use Fee
November 1, 2010
The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comments on McKinley/Foraker cost recovery special mountaineering use fee.
Currently, each climber of Mt. McKinley and Mt. Foraker pays a cost recovery special mountaineering fee of $200. The fee, which was increased from $150 to $200 in 2005, only covers 17% of the cost of this specialized program. Initially, the fee covered approximately 30% of the cost. The number of climbers, and park staff, have remained even since 2002 however, operational expenses have gone up significantly.
Income from the cost recovery fee offsets some of the cost of the mountaineering program. Costs recovered by the fee fund preventative search and rescue (PSAR) education, training for rescue personnel, positioning of patrol/rescue personnel (including volunteers) at critical high altitude locations on the mountain, the CMC (human waste) program and administrative support. Read more
NPS Seeks Comments in Scoping of Climbing Allocation for Mt. McKinley
October 29, 2010
The demand for commercial guided climbing operations on Mt. McKinley, North America’s highest mountain, is increasing. To address this demand Denali National Park and Preserve (DNP&P) is intending to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the allocation of climbing permits between independent climbers and commercial guided climbing operators. Each season, between April 1 and August 1, a limit of 1500 permits are available to climbers. Of the 1500 permits, 25% (375) are allocated to commercially guided groups per the 2006 Backcountry Management Plan. This planning effort will review the current allocation to determine its relevance to the current demand however, the limit of 1500 permits will not be reviewed.
During the scoping phase, public comments are being sought by the National Park Service. The public will have two opportunities to submit comments. The initial commenting for the scoping period and again following the release of the Environmental Assessment. Written comments for the initial project scoping are due by December 6, 2010. Your comments can be submitted online at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena, faxed to (907) 683-9612 or mailed to Superintendent, Denali National Park & Preserve, ATTN: Climbing EA, P.O. Box 9, Denali Park, AK 99755.
Following scoping comments, a range of reasonable alternatives will be developed for consideration in response to the issues identified through agency and public involvement. The EA is expected to be released in spring of 2011.
The Backcountry Management Plan can be viewed at: http://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/backcountryplan.htm for additional information on regulations and management regarding commercial operations and backcountry use of Mt. McKinley.
Aug-Sep 2010 DCC News
September 28, 2010
The Aug-Sep issue of DCC News features articles on wildlife management, renewable energy and transportation projects.
We remember Sandy Kogl
September 26, 2010
We remember Sandy Kogl, dear friend, loved one and advocate
Aug 15, 1943 – Sept. 13, 2010
Sandy Kogl, long time Denali resident, accomplished outdoorswoman, friend, loved one and advocate, passed away on September 13, 2010 at her home outside Talkeetna. Sandy was an early board member of DCC (in the 1970s) and continued on as a member of the organization. She will be dearly remembered and missed by her many friends, colleagues and loved ones far and wide.
On September 26th, there will be a celebration of her life in Talkeetna, her home since the mid-nineties, at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar at 3 PM. To read a printable version of the memorial published in the Anchorage Daily News, click here. You may also read it online at legacy.com and sign the guest book.
Donations can be made in care of Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union to “Sandy’s Circle,” a group dedicated to providing support for caregivers in the Talkeetna area.