[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BEGICH (for himself and Ms. Murkowski):
  S. 3820. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to issue 
permits for a microhydro project in nonwilderness areas within the 
boundaries of Denali National Park and Preserve, to acquire land for 
Denali National Park and Preserve from Doyon Tourism, Inc., and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I wish to speak about legislation I am 
introducing today with support from my fellow senator from Alaska, 
Senator Murkowski.
  It is all too rare that we get to talk about successful partnerships 
between private industry and the Federal Government. This legislation 
would cement just such a successful partnership between a subsidiary of 
an Alaska Native Corporation, Doyon Limited and the National Park 
Service.
  Briefly this measure would authorize a special use permit and over 
the longer term an equal value land trade to facilitate a micro-hydro 
project within the non-wilderness portion of the Denali National Park. 
The micro-hydro project would allow Kantishna Roadhouse, a backcountry 
lodge that accommodates thousands of visitors a year, to substantially 
reduce their diesel use.
  Because the lodge is not connected to any utility grid, it must 
generate its own power. By converting much of the load to a renewable 
resource, the lodge would improve local air quality and reduce truck 
traffic on the single park access road, thus improving the experience 
for visitors to the lodge and park as a whole. It additionally would 
help the lodge's bottom line.
  The legislation has been developed with the assistance of Alaska 
Region of the National Park Service, and they are supportive of the 
project. Eureka Creek, the source of the hydro power, is not a fish-
bearing stream, and the Park Service is interested in acquiring the 
lands to be traded from Doyon ownership.
  After a good deal of outreach this summer by Doyon and others, we are 
aware of no opposition to this permit, land trade and the legislation 
itself. I want to thank the National Park Service for their willingness 
to come to the table and work constructively to solve problems. 
Additionally, I particularly want to thank the senior senator from 
Alaska and her staff for their work on this legislation. It's been a 
good partnership and I appreciate her help.
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