[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55414-55415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18819]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Draft South Denali Implementation Plan and Environmental Impact 
Statement

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft South Denali Implementation 
Plan and Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of 
the Draft South Denali Implementation Plan and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for Denali National Park and Preserve. The document 
describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of a preferred 
alternative and one action alternative for expanding visitor facilities 
and access opportunities in the south Denali region. A no action 
alternative also is evaluated. This notice announces the 60-day public 
comment period and solicits comments on the draft plan and EIS.

DATES: Written comments on the draft plan and EIS must be received no 
later than November 21, 2005.

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 http://parkplanning.nps.gov. The draft EIS may be viewed online at http://www.southdenaliplanning.com. Hard copies or CDs of the Draft South 
Denali Implementation Plan and EIS are available by request from the 
aforementioned address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Tranel, Chief of Planning, Denali 
National Park and Preserve. Telephone: (907) 644-3611.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Park Service (NPS) in 
cooperation with the State of Alaska, and Matanuska Susitna Borough has 
prepared a draft implementation plan and accompanying EIS for expanded 
visitor facilities and access opportunities in the south Denali region. 
The purpose of the plan and EIS is to address the needs of a growing 
visitor population in the south Denali region for the next two decades. 
The south Denali region is defined to include the southern portions of 
Denali National Park and Preserve, Denali State Park in its entirety, 
and adjoining lands owned and managed by the State of Alaska and the 
Matanuska Susitna Borough. The implementation plan and EIS was 
initiated to address the rapidly growing level of visitation, resource 
management concerns, and anticipated demand for future uses of public 
lands in the south Denali region.
    The draft plan and EIS includes a range of alternatives based on 
planning objectives, environmental resources, and public input. Each 
alternative represents a development concept that addresses the needs 
and concerns of the land managers, local communities, and visitors. Two 
alternatives in addition to a no-action alternative were developed.
    Alternative A (No Action): Under Alternative A, no new actions 
would be implemented to support the 1997 Record of Decision for the 
South Side Denali Development Concept Plan except for those projects 
already approved and initiated. This alternative represents no change 
from current management direction and therefore represents the existing 
condition in the south Denali region. However, it does not ensure a 
similar future condition which could be affected by factors unrelated 
to this planning effort.
    Alternative B: This destination facility in the Peters Hills would 
serve package tourism, the independent traveler, local school groups, 
and Alaskan travelers. Access to this facility would be from the 
Trapper Creek area on the Petersville Road, and a new, seven mile 
access road. The vision is for a high quality facility that offers a 
range of opportunities for learning and recreating during the summer 
months. Development of campgrounds, enhancements to local trail systems 
and road corridors, and increased interpretive signage are also 
components of this alternative.
    Alternative C (Preferred Alternative): This destination facility 
would be reached by a new four mile access road from the George Parks 
Highway, and would serve package tourism, the independent traveler, 
local school groups, and Alaskan travelers. The vision is for a high 
quality facility that offers a range of opportunities for learning and 
recreating from late spring to early fall. It would provide visitors of 
various abilities a chance to experience a subarctic tundra environment 
and opportunities to view Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range. 
Development of campgrounds, enhancements to local trail systems and 
road corridors, and increased interpretive signage are also components 
of this alternative.

[[Page 55415]]

Informational and Public Meetings

    Informational meetings and public hearings will be scheduled in 
Alaska at the following locations: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, 
Susitna Valley, and McKinley Village. The specific dates and times of 
the meetings and public hearings will be announced in local media. It 
is the practice of the National Park Service to make comments, 
including names and addresses of respondents, available for public 
review. An individual respondent may request that we withhold his or 
her address from the record, which we will honor to the extent 
allowable by law. If you wish to have NPS withhold your name and/or 
address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your 
comments. NPS will make all submissions from organizations or 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available 
for public inspection in their entirety.

    Dated: August 18, 2005.
Judy Gottlieb,
Acting Regional Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 05-18819 Filed 9-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P