[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13427-13428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7108]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Spruce Creek Access Proposal and Environmental Impact Statement, 
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) to evaluate an application for a right-of-way 
permit to a private inholding on Spruce Creek in the Kantishna Hills of 
Denali National Park and Preserve. The application for the right-of-way 
was submitted by the owner of the inholding pursuant to the Alaska 
National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA), Title XI, 
Section 1110(b) and the implementing regulations at 43 CFR Part 36. The 
application states that the right-of-way would provide access for the 
inholder to construct and operate a remote backcountry lodge.
    On January 7, 1998, the NPS accepted a complete application for 
access to a 20-acre parcel on Spruce Creek (Spruce 4) for the proposed 
purposes. The proposed access route would follow a nine-mile, single-
track gravel road from mile 88 of the Denali Park Road to the private 
inholding, and would cross Moose Creek 24 times and Spruce Creek four 
times. The applicant also requested use of an airstrip near Glen Creek 
for an alternate method of transportation. ANILCA Title XI, Section 
1110(b) provides that the Secretary of the Interior shall give ``* * * 
such rights as may be necessary to assure adequate and feasible access 
for economic and other purposes to the concerned land by such State or 
private owner and their successors in interest.'' Implementing 
regulations (43 CFR Part 36) define adequate and feasible access as ``* 
* * a route and method of access that is shown to be reasonably 
necessary and economically practicable but not necessarily the least 
costly alternative for achieving the use and development by the 
applicant on the applicant's non-federal land or occupancy interest.''
    Possible alternatives to the proposed access to be considered in 
the EIS include: (1) construction of a new road on the north side of 
Moose Creek and air access via an airstrip near Glen Creek; (2) vehicle 
access only over a ridge-top route (Skyline Drive) to a point east of 
Glacier Creek and construction of a new road down a ridge to Spruce 
Creek; (3) air access only, with construction of a new airstrip near 
Spruce Creek; and (4) no action.
    Primary issues to be addressed by the EIS are visitor access; 
environmental

[[Page 13428]]

constraints; potentially adverse impacts on natural, physical, and/or 
cultural resources; concerns for NPS management and operations; and 
interrelationships with adjacent area users. The EIS will assess the 
cumulative effects of a new lodge in the Kantishna Hills with 15-30 
double-occupancy cabins.
    The EIS is being prepared in accordance with the requirements of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
4331 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR Part 1500.
    Interested groups, organizations, individuals and government 
agencies are invited to comment on the proposal and alternatives. Three 
public scoping meetings are scheduled as noted below. The draft EIS 
will be available for public review in the fall of 1998. Public 
hearings on the draft EIS will be scheduled in the McKinley Park/Healy 
area, Fairbanks, and Anchorage, Alaska, and Washington, DC.

DATES: Public Scoping Meetings:
    1. Tuesday, March 31, 1998, 7 p.m., Golden Lion Hotel, Anchorage, 
Alaska.
    2. Wednesday, April 1, 1998, 7 p.m., Pioneer Room at Alaska Land, 
Fairbanks, Alaska.
    3. Thursday, April 2, 1998, 7 p.m., Tri-Valley Community Center, 
Healy, Alaska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven P. Martin, Superintendent, 
Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 9, Denali Park, Alaska 
99755. Phone (907) 683-2294.
Paul R. Anderson,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 98-7108 Filed 3-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P