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North
Access Visitor Facilities Study
Under the influence of former
Senator Murkowski, In 2001 Congress reprogrammed $372,000 from
Glacier Bay National Park and directed NPs and Alaska DNR to
explore the options for the location of campgrounds, trails,
and other visitor facilities along the Stampede Road alignment.
The first 30 miles of the route would be on State land, and
the remaining 60 miles would traverse the 1980 northern additions
to Denali National Park. The North Access Visitor Facilities
Study is separate from the Denali Borough's North Access Reconnaissance
Study; however NPs will coordinate and share information with
the Denali Borough throughout the planning process.
DCC
feels that this study is premature, since no formal decision
on North Access has been made. Agency officials are now in the
scoping process of the study and are asking for public comment.
Many local residents of the Stampede area agree with DCC that
the study should include and serious consider the option of
no road or railroad being built.
Public Comment is important,
please let the agencies know how you feel!
Comment Deadline: July 11, 2003
E-mail comments to: dena_public_comments@nps.gov.
Please type "Visitor Facilities Study" on the subject
line of your message.
- Written
comments may be sent to: Superintendent, Denali National Park,
PO Box 9 Denali Park, AK 99755
- FAX
your comments to: 907-683-9612
For
more information contact:
The Denali Borough Assembly voted to indefinitely table an ordinance
supporting HB244, a State law, which promotes a northern rail
from Healy to the eastern boundary of Denali.
The
consensus of the Assembly was that this ordinance was premature
and that the North Access Reconnaissance Study (NARS), which
will investigate among other factors route selection and a mode
of access, should proceed before the Borough takes action on
a bill that predetermines these aspects of north access.
Present
status of the North Access Reconnaissance Study (NARS):
The Denali Borough is currently
waiting notification from DOT to proceed to Phase ll of the
Transfer
of Responsibilities Agreement (TORA).
Notice is expected by the end of March. At that time the RFP
(Request for Proposals) will be released with the final goal
of selecting a consultant that will address the wide range of
issues regarding a proposed north access route into Denali National
Park and Preserve.
The
Denali Borough is committed to carefully documenting progress
on the TORA. A second draft of their report to the Department
of Transportation was presented during the meeting of March
22.
Some
important points:
- The
most important question is,
"
Should a new north side transportation system be developed
between the Parks Highway/AK Railroad corridor and some location
most advantageous for visitors to, managers of, and neighbors
of Denali National Park and Preserve?"
- A
primary goal of the study is to conduct a Cost Benefit Analysis
of developing a North Access Route, and would target the effects
on the Denali Borough, the State of Alaska, and Denali National
Park and Preserve.
- The
Denali Borough is interested in enhancing economic development,
employment opportunities, and extended tourism opportunities.
Additional costs to the Borough in terms of an increased demand
for public services, and the physical proximity to a larger
industry are issues of concern for local population.
- The
study will assist the State of Alaska in assessing whether
the North Access Route fits into their overall goal of planning,
developing and operating efficient and cost effective transportation.
- The
study will evaluate the proposed access as a means to relieve
stress on the facilities, transportation systems, and staff
and service providers of Denali National Park and Preserve.
The needs statement for the North Access project will be developed
as closely as possible to the guidelines used by the NPs for
their own planning.
- The
issues to be considered for the study have been divided into
two categories, Reconnaissance Engineering Issues (purpose
and need, construction, operation and maintenance, funding
sources) and Environmental Issues (social, economic, and environmental
impacts).
- The
destination is as yet undefined, but options could include:
Kantishna, the boundary of the Preserve, the summit of Willow
Creek to the Myrtle Creek divide, and the Stampede Mine. The
Denali Borough will not consider options for a system that
extends west of Kantishna, i.e., a connection to McGrath.
- The
North Access Corridor could utilize the Wolf Townships or
the area north of the Preserve boundary.
For
detailed information
and links to Northern Access documents visit the Denali Borough's
North
Access web page.
A
History of the North Access Issue
A
Map of the Proposed Northern Route to Denali
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