[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8782-8783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4352]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Draft Backcountry Management Plan, General Management Plan 
Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement, Denali National Park and 
Preserve, Alaska

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Backcountry Management 
Plan, General Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of 
the Draft Backcountry Management Plan, General Management Plan 
Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Denali National 
Park and Preserve. The document describes and analyzes the 
environmental impacts of a preferred alternative and three action 
alternatives for managing the park and preserve's backcountry. A no 
action alternative also is evaluated. This notice announces the 75-day 
public comment period, the locations of public hearings, and solicits 
comments on the draft plan and EIS.

DATES: Comments on the draft plan and EIS must be received no later 
than May 7, 2003.

[[Page 8783]]


ADDRESSES: Comments on the draft plan and EIS should be submitted to 
the Superintendent, Denali National Park and Preserve, Post Office Box 
9, Denali Park, Alaska 99755. Submit electronic comments to [email protected]. The draft EIS may be viewed online at http://www.nps.gov/dena through the ``in Depth'' link on our homepage under 
``Planning and Management.'' Hard copies or CDs of the Draft 
Backcountry Management Plan and General Management Plan Amendment and 
EIS are available by request from the aforementioned address. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for the locations of informational meetings 
and public hearings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Tranel, Chief of Planning, Denali 
National Park and Preserve. Telephone: (907) 257-2562.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing 
a backcountry management plan and accompanying EIS that amends the 1986 
General Management Plan for Denali National Park and Preserve. The 
purpose of the plan and EIS is to formulate a comprehensive plan for 
the backcountry, including designated wilderness, of Denali National 
Park and Preserve that will provide management direction over the next 
15-20 years. The backcountry of Denali National Park and Preserve is 
defined to include the entire park except for those areas designated 
specifically for development in the entrance area and along the road 
corridor. Many issues to be addressed in the backcountry management 
plan, however, would affect the entire park, including developed areas. 
The NPS has initiated this management plan and EIS to address the 
rapidly growing level and diversity of uses, resource management needs, 
and the anticipated demand for future uses not foreseen or addressed in 
the 1986 General Management Plan. The NPS developed a range of 
alternatives based on planning objectives, park resources, and public 
input. Each alternative represents a distinct vision for the park's 
backcountry. These alternatives describe actions related to management 
area designation, recreational activities, and administrative 
activities. Four alternatives in addition to a no-action alternative 
were developed.
    Alternative A (No Action): Current and projected conditions under 
this alternative provide a baseline for evaluating the changes and 
impacts of the other action alternatives. The NPS would continue the 
present management direction, guided by the 1986 General Management 
Plan, the 1997 Entrance Area and Road Corridor Development Concept 
Plan, the 1997 South Side Denali Development Concept Plan, the 1997 
Strategic Plan, and backcountry management plans from 1976 and 1982. 
Recreational use and access patterns would continue to develop, and the 
NPS would respond as necessary on a case-by-case basis. No new services 
or facilities would be developed to meet increased levels of use in the 
backcountry, except for those identified in the Entrance Area or South 
Side plans. This alternative represents ``no action'' for this plan. 
For all activities, the NPS would respond to changing use patterns as 
necessary to protect park resources, visitor safety, and visitor 
experience.
    Alternative B: This alternative would emphasize wilderness resource 
values (including solitude and natural sounds) and opportunities for 
self-reliant, non-motorized recreation that depend on the wilderness 
character of the resource. Denali would have a high degree of resource 
protection, especially in the original Old Park area. Under this 
alternative, some uses would be reduced or managed for greater 
dispersal to enhance resource protection. While some new approved uses 
could occur, services would be minimized to provide self-reliant 
experiences.
    Alternative C: This alternative would emphasize highly dispersed 
recreational uses that are consistent with wilderness values and 
opportunities for solitude. It would allow for both motorized and non-
motorized recreation activities, but would limit growth or otherwise 
manage use levels to provide a quality visitor experience and protect 
park resources.
    Alternative D (NPS Preferred Alternative): The NPS would provide 
for expanded recreational opportunities in many areas of the park and 
preserve for activities that are particularly well suited to the unique 
character of Denali. Use levels would not exceed those that maintain 
the management vision for a particular unit. Patterns and types of use 
would be somewhat similar to current conditions, but increases in 
levels of use would be noticeable at several locations.
    Alternative E: This alternative would emphasize expanded visitor 
services, additional facilities, and increased motorized access for 
backcountry users. A variety of uses would be accommodated throughout 
the park, and new forms and levels of recreational uses would be 
allowed in the park additions and preserve, while protecting resources. 
New facilities would be added in the entrance area and on the south 
side. There would be some expansion of existing uses in the original 
Old Park area, with modest expansion of uses in the park additions and 
preserve. There would be minimal reductions of or redistribution of 
existing uses even in congested areas. This alternative would allow 
additional types of use not presently occurring but consistent with 
laws, regulations, and management policies. As types and levels of use 
increase, so too would administrative presence.
    Informational meetings and public hearings are scheduled in Alaska 
at the following locations: Anchorage, Wasilla, Fairbanks, Healy, 
Susitna Valley, Minchumina, and Cantwell. The specific dates and times 
of the meetings and public hearings will be announced in local media.

    Dated: February 12, 2003.
Marcia Blaszak,
Acting Regional Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 03-4352 Filed 2-24-03; 8:45 am]
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