News Release

Bering Land Bridge NP proposed changes to 2020 Compendium

Date: January 15, 2020
Contact: Katie Cullen, 907-443-6116

The National Park Service invites the public to comment on proposed changes for park compendiums in Alaska through February 15, 2020. A compendium – one for each NPS area in Alaska – is a compilation of designations, closures and restrictions adopted under the discretionary authority within the regulations covering national parks. This regulatory tool helps manage Alaska's national park areas for the public’s enjoyment, use and protection.

The National Park Service (NPS) seeks public comment on allowing the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. The reason for this proposed addition is as follows:
 
On August 30, 2019, the National Park Service published an e-bike policy. A stated goal of the policy is to address e-bikes so that the NPS can exercise clear management authority over them within the National Park System. The policy provides that e-bikes are to be allowed in areas where traditional bicycles are allowed. Under national NPS regulations, traditional bicycles are allowed only on roads, parking areas, and designated trails. 36 CFR 4.30(h).

Under Federal law specific to conservation system units in Alaska, which include national parks, “nonmotorized surface transportation methods for traditional activities … and for travel to and from villages and homesites” are allowed notwithstanding any other provision of law. 16 USC 3170(a). It has been the position of the Department of the Interior that these methods include the use of traditional bicycles. E-bikes do not fall under this allowance because they have an electric motor and therefore are not “nonmotorized.”

Although ANILCA allows traditional bicycles anywhere within conservation system units in Alaska, NPS Region 11 (Alaska) proposes to allow e-bikes only on roads, parking areas, and designated trails where traditional bicycles are allowed. This will ensure that the NPS manages e-bikes in Alaska in the same way it manages e-bikes outside of Alaska. The nationwide policy intended to achieve a consistent management framework for e-bikes within the National Park System. In addition, the NPS has no data on the level of bicycle use on more than 20 million acres in Alaska that are off-trail and not in designated wilderness. This would make it very difficult to anticipate the impacts of allowing e-bikes in those same, vast locations – impacts that could include concerns about public safety associated with remote, cross-country travel, protection of resources in sensitive biomes such as tundra, and management objectives such as preserving wilderness character in eligible wilderness.

To review and comment on this proposal go to: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BELA-Compendium-2020

A written copy may be requested directly from the park or the National Park Service, 240 W. 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501, Attn: Compendium. The National Park Service is committed to making all practicable efforts to make the park compendiums accessible and usable by all individuals. If you require assistance please call 907-697-2621.
Comments will be accepted via parkplanning.gov, by mail, or hand delivered between January 15 and February 15, 2020. Comments are welcome at any time in addition to this timeframe, but comments received after February 15, 2020 will be considered in future compendium revisions.

For more information on compendiums in Alaska’s National Parks go to: https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/proposed-compendiums.htm