• Image of Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range

    Denali

    National Park & Preserve Alaska

What Steps are Involved in the Park Planning and NEPA Process?

The first step in the park planning process involves defining the proposed action. For most projects, the next step in the planning process is to determine the appropriate pathway for NEPA documentation based on the proposed action’s level of impact to the environment. If the proposed action will not have significant impacts to the environment, the park utilizes a categorical exclusion. If it is unclear whether or not the proposed action will have significant environmental impacts, the park prepares an environmental assessment (EA). If the proposed action will have significant environmental impacts, the park prepares an environmental impact statement (EIS).  To find out more about the planning process several resources are available online. 

 
Diagram of the General Steps for Preparing an Environmental Document (EA or EIS)

Did You Know?

Climate warming has affected Denali's snowfall, snowmelt, and greenup

Recent climate warming has affected Denali in ways that are readily apparent, such as reduced spring snowfall, earlier snowmelt, earlier green-up and thawing of permanent snowfields. Subarctic ecosystems, like Denali, are extremely sensitive to climate variability and change.