News Release

Environmental Assessment Available for Public Comment--Access and Use Permit Request for Private Property Owner within Denali National Park and Preserve

Date: May 9, 2019
Contact: Kathleen Kelly, 907-683-9504

The National Park Service (NPS) is considering a request to issue a Right of Way Certificate of Access (RWCA) and a Special Use Permit (SUP) to the owner of a private parcel containing the Mountain House and Sheldon Chalet, located within the Alaska Range of Denali National Park and Preserve.
 
The NPS has published an Environmental Assessment (EA) for this project entitled “Access and Use Request, Ruth Glacier, Mountain House LLC.” The EA is open for public review and comment.
 
The EA evaluates a no action alternative and two action alternatives. The NPS preferred alternative would issue a RWCA to authorize modification and maintenance of a wooden staircase that would connect with a set of existing stairs and descend to a new location, including extending onto NPS land. The NPS would also issue a special use permit that would authorize the property owner to establish two storage areas on the Ruth Glacier on NPS land and to conduct short helicopter sling load operations for the transport of cargo.
 
Comments can be submitted directly on the PEPC site linked above, or mailed to:

Superintendent
Denali National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 9, Denali Park, AK 99755.

Comments will be accepted through May 30.
 
The Murie Science and Learning Center serves as the winter visitor center and is open daily from 9:30 am – 5 pm for visitor information and backcountry permits until May 15, when the Denali Visitor Center opens for the 2019 season.