[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12653-S12654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MURKOWSKI:
       S. 2639. A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to 
     submit a report on the feasibility and desirability of 
     recovering the costs of high altitude lifesaving missions on 
     Mount McKinley in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska; 
     to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


    mount mckinley in denali national park and preserve legislation

 Mr. MURKOSWKI. Mr. President, today I am introducing 
legislation that would require the Secretary of the Interior to report 
to Congress on the feasibility and desirability of recovering the cost 
to taxpayers of rescuing high altitude climbers on Mt. McKinley in 
Denali National Park and Preserve in the State of Alaska.
  Mr. President, Denali National Park and Preserve attracts 
approximately 355,000 visitors per year who come to see the wildlife, 
the grandeur of our State, and to gaze at America's highest peak. Most 
are unaware that while they are taking in the breathtaking vista that 
is Mt. McKinley, there are approximately another 1,100 persons per year 
that are attempting to attain the 20,320 submit.
  Climbimg Mt. McKinley is certainly no easy walk in the Park. A 
typical year sees a dozen major rescue incidents and one or two fatal 
accidents. Extreme and unpredictable weather on Mt. McKinley make high 
altitude rescues very dangerous and very expensive.
  Over the last few years the National Park Service has actively and 
successfully worked to reduce the loss of life and injury to climbers 
who have made attempts to climb this mountain. The NPS spends more than 
$750,000 per year for education; pre-positioning supplies and materials 
at various altitudes on the mountain; the positioning of a special high 
altitude helicopter in the Park; and actual rescue attempts.
  Just last summer the military and the Park Service spent four days 
and $221,818 rescuing 6 sick and injured

[[Page S12654]]

British climbers who disregarded warnings and advice from park ranger 
stationed on the mountain. This rescue included what is probably the 
world's highest short haul helicopter rescue at 19,000 feet and 
entailed a very high level of risk for the rescue team. This is just 
one example of many rescues the Park Service conducts each year on Mt. 
McKinley.
  Mr. President, I personally do not feel that the American taxpayer 
should be left with the bill for rescues on this mountain. The Federal 
Government does not force these climbers to climb; they engage in this 
activity voluntarily and with full knowledge of the risks. While I 
admire the courage and tenacity of mountain climbers, I do not think it 
is fair to divert scarce park funds from services that benefit the 
majority of park visitors for the purpose of providing extraordinarily 
expensive services to a small number of users who put themselves in 
harm's way with their eyes wide open. Mountain climbers are a special 
breed who are proud of their self-sufficiency and independence--and 
rightly so. For that reason I think they should recognize the simple 
equity of paying their fair share of the public costs of their sport.
  As a result of a recent field hearing on this issue, I found that 
while I have received many letters of support, there are a few stalwart 
individuals who do not agree with my point of view and have raised some 
legitimate questions. That is why I want the Secretary of the Interior 
to look at the feasibility and desirability of some sort of a cost 
recovery system that puts a minimal burden on climbers, whether it be 
an insurance requirement or any other scheme. The pros and cons of 
these cost recovery mechanisms need to be carefully explored before we 
act.
  Last but not least, Mr. President, I want the Secretary to evaluate 
requiring climbers to show proof of medical insurance so that hospitals 
in Alaska and elsewhere are not left holding the bag as they sometimes 
are under present circumstances. It is a good neighbor policy that 
should be put into effect at the earliest opportunity.

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