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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Quinley January 23, 2004 907-644-3512
The National Park Service (NPS) is considering a request for temporary
access to two inholdings on McCarthy Creek in the Wrangell-Saint
Elias National Preserve. The applicants wish to transfer food, building
supplies, and fuel to their property using a bulldozer and towing
a trailer. The proposed access would follow a 14-mile bladed alignment
between the town of McCarthy and the applicants’ inholdings at Marvelous
Millsite and Spokane Placer, with about 12.5 miles of the alignment
on preserve lands. The NPS is considering a special use permit for
the temporary access to last up to one year. The applicants indicate
an application for permanent access right-of-way may be submitted
at a later date. An environmental assessment has been completed
for this project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, and the regulations of the Council on Environmental
Quality. Public comment will be accepted between January 24 and
February 23, 2004. The three alternatives evaluated in the environmental
assessment are: No Action Alternative: Under this alternative, the
applicants would continue to access their property by aircraft,
snowmachines, and non-motorized surface transportation. The NPS
would not issue a special use permit to use heavy equipment for
temporary access to the inholdings. Applicants' Proposal:The NPS
would issue a special use permit authorizing the applicants to use
a bulldozer and16-foot trailer on wheels or skids for up to nine
roundtrips between the town of McCarthy and their property at Marvelous
Millsite and Spokane Placer. Based on the alignment and number of
trips, about 300 crossings of McCarthy Creek and major tributaries
would be necessary. Travel would occur in October, November, or
during frozen conditions. The proposed travel alignment crosses
private property in three locations. National Park Service Preferred:
The NPS would issue a special use permit authorizing the applicants
to travel to their inholdings using the same equipment as described
in their proposal, but with different operating conditions. Overland
travel by bulldozer would be over ground frozen to at least 12 inches
and with adequate snow cover to protect the resources. Open water
stream crossings would have to be approved by the Superintendent
or his designee. The permit would contain additional terms and conditions
to protect park resources and values. The assessmentis available
for public review at the following website: www.nps.gov/wrst/plan.htm.
For further information about the project, or to request a printed
copy of the assessment, contact: Gary Candelaria, Superintendent,
Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve, Post Office Box
439, Copper Center, Alaska 99573, or by e-mail at: wrst_hale_ea_public_review@nps.gov
Written comments on the assessment should be addressed to Superintendent
Gary Candelaria at the above post office box address or sent to
the email address referenced above. ##
Privacy & Disclaimer
Author:Jane
Tranel
Last modified on: January 23, 2004
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