Kantishna, a former mining town during the goldrush at the turn of the twentieth century, marks the end of the Denali Park road. When the road was constructed, Kantishna was outside Denali National Park was still being mined, mainly for placer gold but also for other commercial minerals. After World War !!, the price of gold declined and mining became a less important activity. With the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980, all private lands in the Kantishna area, including both mines and private holdings being used as tourist destinations, became inholdings within the new park.

In order to establish guidelines for regulating the mining industry in Kantishna, the National Park Service developed a Cumulative Impacts of Mining Environmental Impact Statement in 1982. The EIS required the placer miners take steps to mitigate the impact of their activities on nearby streams and rivers, and that they perform reclamation on their claims once mining was complete. Mining plans describing these mitigations were to be developed prior to any mining activities.

Subsequently, the Sierra Club sued the NPS for failure to enforce the stipulations of its own plan.

DCC supports acquisition of private inholdings in the the heart of Denali.

NPS Finalizes Claim on Spruce 4
Although most of this claim has been purchased by NPS, two acres remain in private ownership. The EA presents access options for the owners of this property.

DCC argued for restraint in granting access that would work against NPS intent for the Kantishna area. For our comments on the EA, click the link below. The final record of decision granting the preferred alternative was issued this fall.

NPS EA on Spruce4 Access
DCC Comments on Spruce4 EA

NPS Planning Documents