Denali Subsistence, Climbing Regulations Published

Date: November 14, 2008
Contact: Kris Fister, 907-683-9583

New regulations regarding subsistence off-road vehicle use, backcountry use and mountaineering at Denali National Park and Preserve were published today in the Federal Register.

The new provisions implement recent management decisions made in the 2006 Denali Backcountry Management Plan and the 2007 environmental assessment for subsistence use of off-road vehicles in the Cantwell Traditional Use Area. The proposed regulations had been published for public comment in April.

The final regulations focus on two areas:

• They establish group size limits in the backcountry, restrict the number of climbers on Mount McKinley from April 1 through August 1 to a maximum of 1,500, and require camping permits (where currently required through the park compendium) in accordance with the 2006 Backcountry Management Plan.
• They also restrict off-road vehicle use for subsistence purposes to designated routes and trails in Windy Creek, Cantwell Creek, and Bull River drainages in the Cantwell Traditional Use Area in accordance with the 2007 environmental assessment.

The change in the climbing regulations replaces a provision requiring all climbers to register 60 days in advance of any climb on Mount McKinley or Mount Foraker with a permit requirement subject to application procedures established by the Superintendent. This change will allow the park to relax the 60-day requirement for climbers who have previously climbed McKinley or Foraker.

The subsistence ORV regulations provide that authorized rural residents may operate off-road vehicles, under certain conditions, only in the following designated areas and trails: Windy Creek Trail; Cantwell Airstrip Trail; Pyramid Trail; The Cantwell Creek Floodplain Trail/Corridor; and a trail or area along the Bull River Floodplain designated by the superintendent.

The Federal Register notice (fr14no08R) is available on-line at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.