Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

36 CFR Part 13

RIN 1024-AC31

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is publishing final

regulations for Denali National Park, Alaska, that will require

mountain climbers to register a minimum of 60 days before any climb on

Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker. Mountaineering in the park has

increased dramatically over the last ten years and climbing-related

injuries and deaths have correspondingly increased. By requiring

advance registration, the Denali park staff will be able to provide

information to prospective mountaineers in advance of their climb. This

may include information on the specific dangers they may face, how to

prepare and equip, other safety related issues, and requirements

concerning resource protection issues such as litter removal and human

waste disposal. Currently, climbers are required to register, but may

do so as late as the day they depart for the mountain.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule becomes effective on March 25, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Superintendent, Denali

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Martin, Superintendent, Denali

National Park and Preserve. Telephone 907-683-2294.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Denali National Park was first established as Mt. McKinley National

Park on February 26, 1917. A separate Denali National Monument was

proclaimed on December 1, 1978. These two park areas were combined,

reconfigured and established as Denali National Park and Preserve on

December 2, 1980, encompassing approximately 6.5 million acres. Prior

to achieving its current configuration, the land the park now

encompasses was recognized for its unique ecological value and

designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976. That designation

has since been expanded to encompass the entire 6.5 million acre park

and preserve. The park contains North America's highest mountain,

20,320 foot Mount McKinley. Mount Foraker, at 17,400 feet, and numerous

large glaciers of the Alaska Range are also a part of this park's

subarctic ecosystem. Wildlife includes caribou, Dall sheep, moose,

grizzly bears and wolves.

The first ascent of Mount McKinley occurred in 1913. Climbing

continued to be a popular activity, although on a small scale, after

the park was established. However, during the last ten years,

mountaineering in the park has increased dramatically. The number of

Mount McKinley climbers has risen from 695 in 1984 to 1277 in 1994 and

1,220 in 1995. With the numbers of climbers increasing, the number of

accidents, rescues and resource-related problems have also increased.

Since 1932, a total of 85 mountaineers have perished on the slopes of

Mount McKinley; 28 percent of these deaths (24) have occurred since

1990. Recent years have also seen an increase in climbing-related

deaths on Mount Foraker and the other Alaska Range peaks located in the

park. In 1990, eight mountaineers were rescued on Mount McKinley. In

sharp contrast, the number of mountaineers rescued increased to 28 in

1992, 27 in 1994 and 21 in 1995. Studies by the NPS showed that the

major reason climbers got into trouble on the mountain and required

rescue was their unfamiliarity with the hazards unique to Mount

McKinley. Specifically, extreme weather conditions, weather

changeability and the other hazards associated with climbing in such

northerly latitudes caught the climbers unprepared. The NPS determined

that climbers need better education and information prior to their

climbs and that an appropriate time frame was necessary to convey this

information to the climbing community. Climbers from 38 countries

registered to climb Mount McKinley in 1995. With so many climbers

seeking permits, adequate lead time required to fulfill the requests

lengthens. The 60 day pre- registration period will provide sufficient

opportunity for the Denali park staff to provide the necessary

information to prospective

[[Page 6944]]

mountaineers on the dangers they may face climbing in the park, how to

prepare and equip themselves for the climb, other safety related issues

and requirements concerning resource protection issues such as litter

removal and human waste disposal.

On September 13, 1995, the NPS published the proposed regulation

that will require mountain climbers to register a minimum of 60 days

before any climb on Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker (60 FR 47513). The

comment period closed on November 13, 1995. No comments were received

during the comment period. When this rule becomes final, it will

replace the interim rule that was published on March 31, 1995, in the

Federal Register. (60 FR 16579).

Drafting Information

The primary authors of this final rule are Dennis Burnett,

Washington Office of Ranger Activities, National Park Service and

Brenda Bussard of Denali National Park and Preserve, National Park

Service.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This final rule does not contain collections of information

requiring approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Compliance With Other Laws

This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review

under Executive Order 12866. The Department of the Interior determined

that this document will not have a significant economic effect on a

substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility

Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) The economic effects of this rulemaking are

local in nature and negligible in scope.

The NPS has determined that this final rule will not have a

significant effect on the quality of the human environment, health and

safety because it is not expected to:

(a) Increase public use to the extent of compromising the nature

and character of the area or causing physical damage to it;

(b) Introduce incompatible uses which compromise the nature and

character of the area or causing physical damage to it;

(c) Conflict with adjacent ownerships or land uses; or

(d) Cause a nuisance to adjacent owners or occupants.

Based on this determination, the regulation is categorically

excluded from the procedural requirements of the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA) by Departmental guidelines in 516 DM 6 (49 FR 21438).

As such, neither an Environmental Assessment (EA) nor an Environmental

Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 13

Alaska, National Parks, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

In consideration of the foregoing, 36 CFR Chapter I, Part 13 is

amended as follows:

PART 13--NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM UNITS IN ALASKA

1. The authority citation for part 13 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 462(k), 3101 et seq.; Sec. 13.65(b)

also issued under 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(h), 1361, 1531.

Subpart C--Special Regulations--Specific Park Areas in Alaska

2. Section 13.63 is amended by revising paragraph (f) to read as

follows:

Sec. 13.63 Denali National Park and Reserve.

* * * * *

(f) Mountain climbing. Climbing on Mount McKinley or Mount Foraker

without registering, on a form provided by the Superintendent, at least

60 days in advance of any climb is prohibited.

Dated: February 6, 1996.

George T. Frampton, Jr.,

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

[FR Doc. 96-4162 Filed 2-22-96; 8:45 am]

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