[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6943-6944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4162]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

36 CFR Part 13

RIN 1024-AC31


Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is publishing final 
regulations for Denali National Park, Alaska, that will require 
mountain climbers to register a minimum of 60 days before any climb on 
Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker. Mountaineering in the park has 
increased dramatically over the last ten years and climbing-related 
injuries and deaths have correspondingly increased. By requiring 
advance registration, the Denali park staff will be able to provide 
information to prospective mountaineers in advance of their climb. This 
may include information on the specific dangers they may face, how to 
prepare and equip, other safety related issues, and requirements 
concerning resource protection issues such as litter removal and human 
waste disposal. Currently, climbers are required to register, but may 
do so as late as the day they depart for the mountain.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule becomes effective on March 25, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Superintendent, Denali 
National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 9, Denali National Park, AK 99755.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Martin, Superintendent, Denali 
National Park and Preserve. Telephone 907-683-2294.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Denali National Park was first established as Mt. McKinley National 
Park on February 26, 1917. A separate Denali National Monument was 
proclaimed on December 1, 1978. These two park areas were combined, 
reconfigured and established as Denali National Park and Preserve on 
December 2, 1980, encompassing approximately 6.5 million acres. Prior 
to achieving its current configuration, the land the park now 
encompasses was recognized for its unique ecological value and 
designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976. That designation 
has since been expanded to encompass the entire 6.5 million acre park 
and preserve. The park contains North America's highest mountain, 
20,320 foot Mount McKinley. Mount Foraker, at 17,400 feet, and numerous 
large glaciers of the Alaska Range are also a part of this park's 
subarctic ecosystem. Wildlife includes caribou, Dall sheep, moose, 
grizzly bears and wolves.
    The first ascent of Mount McKinley occurred in 1913. Climbing 
continued to be a popular activity, although on a small scale, after 
the park was established. However, during the last ten years, 
mountaineering in the park has increased dramatically. The number of 
Mount McKinley climbers has risen from 695 in 1984 to 1277 in 1994 and 
1,220 in 1995. With the numbers of climbers increasing, the number of 
accidents, rescues and resource-related problems have also increased. 
Since 1932, a total of 85 mountaineers have perished on the slopes of 
Mount McKinley; 28 percent of these deaths (24) have occurred since 
1990. Recent years have also seen an increase in climbing-related 
deaths on Mount Foraker and the other Alaska Range peaks located in the 
park. In 1990, eight mountaineers were rescued on Mount McKinley. In 
sharp contrast, the number of mountaineers rescued increased to 28 in 
1992, 27 in 1994 and 21 in 1995. Studies by the NPS showed that the 
major reason climbers got into trouble on the mountain and required 
rescue was their unfamiliarity with the hazards unique to Mount 
McKinley. Specifically, extreme weather conditions, weather 
changeability and the other hazards associated with climbing in such 
northerly latitudes caught the climbers unprepared. The NPS determined 
that climbers need better education and information prior to their 
climbs and that an appropriate time frame was necessary to convey this 
information to the climbing community. Climbers from 38 countries 
registered to climb Mount McKinley in 1995. With so many climbers 
seeking permits, adequate lead time required to fulfill the requests 
lengthens. The 60 day pre- registration period will provide sufficient 
opportunity for the Denali park staff to provide the necessary 
information to prospective 

[[Page 6944]]
mountaineers on the dangers they may face climbing in the park, how to 
prepare and equip themselves for the climb, other safety related issues 
and requirements concerning resource protection issues such as litter 
removal and human waste disposal.
    On September 13, 1995, the NPS published the proposed regulation 
that will require mountain climbers to register a minimum of 60 days 
before any climb on Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker (60 FR 47513). The 
comment period closed on November 13, 1995. No comments were received 
during the comment period. When this rule becomes final, it will 
replace the interim rule that was published on March 31, 1995, in the 
Federal Register. (60 FR 16579).

Drafting Information

    The primary authors of this final rule are Dennis Burnett, 
Washington Office of Ranger Activities, National Park Service and 
Brenda Bussard of Denali National Park and Preserve, National Park 
Service.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule does not contain collections of information 
requiring approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Compliance With Other Laws

    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866. The Department of the Interior determined 
that this document will not have a significant economic effect on a 
substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) The economic effects of this rulemaking are 
local in nature and negligible in scope.
    The NPS has determined that this final rule will not have a 
significant effect on the quality of the human environment, health and 
safety because it is not expected to:
    (a) Increase public use to the extent of compromising the nature 
and character of the area or causing physical damage to it;
    (b) Introduce incompatible uses which compromise the nature and 
character of the area or causing physical damage to it;
    (c) Conflict with adjacent ownerships or land uses; or
    (d) Cause a nuisance to adjacent owners or occupants.
    Based on this determination, the regulation is categorically 
excluded from the procedural requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) by Departmental guidelines in 516 DM 6 (49 FR 21438). 
As such, neither an Environmental Assessment (EA) nor an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 13

    Alaska, National Parks, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    In consideration of the foregoing, 36 CFR Chapter I, Part 13 is 
amended as follows:

PART 13--NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM UNITS IN ALASKA

    1. The authority citation for part 13 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 462(k), 3101 et seq.; Sec. 13.65(b) 
also issued under 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(h), 1361, 1531.

Subpart C--Special Regulations--Specific Park Areas in Alaska

    2. Section 13.63 is amended by revising paragraph (f) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 13.63  Denali National Park and Reserve.

* * * * *
    (f) Mountain climbing. Climbing on Mount McKinley or Mount Foraker 
without registering, on a form provided by the Superintendent, at least 
60 days in advance of any climb is prohibited.

    Dated: February 6, 1996.
George T. Frampton, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 96-4162 Filed 2-22-96; 8:45 am]
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