Public Invited to Participate in September Scoping Meetings for Denali Park Road Vehicle Management Plan

Date: August 18, 2008
Contact: Kris Fister, 907-683-9583

Denali National Park and Preserve intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to develop and implement a plan to manage vehicles along the Denali Park Road. The goal of the plan is to provide a high quality experience for visitors while protecting wilderness resource values, scenic values, wildlife, other park resources, and maintaining the unique character of the park road.

For many years, the established transportation system has been an effective mechanism to manage vehicle use while providing for quality visitor opportunities along the park road. However, the transportation system that has been in place since 1972 has never been comprehensively evaluated. There is a growing demand for the park road experience and trends indicate that visitation to Alaska and the Denali area will continue to increase. By evaluating the park road capacity now, the National Park Service will be able to more effectively handle the projected growth rate in the future.

A reasonable range of alternatives will be developed for consideration that are responsive to significant issues identified through agency and public involvement.

Public scoping meetings will be held in the month of September. All meetings will be from 6 :00 to 8:00 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public are invited to share their ideas and concerns with park staff.

Anchorage - September 3, J.Z. Loussac Library, Wild Marston Theater

Susitna Valley - September 4, Talkeetna Ranger Station

Denali Park - September 10, Murie Science and Learning Center

Fairbanks - September 11, Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

Please contact Miriam Valentine at (907-733-9102, or e-mail us) for additional information, or visit the website at www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/roadvehmgteis.htm .

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