Spruce Creek Access Proposal and Environmental Impact Statement, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Spruce Creek Access Proposal and Environmental Impact Statement,

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an environmental

impact statement (EIS) to evaluate an application for a right-of-way

permit to a private inholding on Spruce Creek in the Kantishna Hills of

Denali National Park and Preserve. The application for the right-of-way

was submitted by the owner of the inholding pursuant to the Alaska

National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA), Title XI,

Section 1110(b) and the implementing regulations at 43 CFR Part 36. The

application states that the right-of-way would provide access for the

inholder to construct and operate a remote backcountry lodge.

On January 7, 1998, the NPS accepted a complete application for

access to a 20-acre parcel on Spruce Creek (Spruce 4) for the proposed

purposes. The proposed access route would follow a nine-mile, single-

track gravel road from mile 88 of the Denali Park Road to the private

inholding, and would cross Moose Creek 24 times and Spruce Creek four

times. The applicant also requested use of an airstrip near Glen Creek

for an alternate method of transportation. ANILCA Title XI, Section

1110(b) provides that the Secretary of the Interior shall give ``* * *

such rights as may be necessary to assure adequate and feasible access

for economic and other purposes to the concerned land by such State or

private owner and their successors in interest.'' Implementing

regulations (43 CFR Part 36) define adequate and feasible access as ``*

* * a route and method of access that is shown to be reasonably

necessary and economically practicable but not necessarily the least

costly alternative for achieving the use and development by the

applicant on the applicant's non-federal land or occupancy interest.''

Possible alternatives to the proposed access to be considered in

the EIS include: (1) construction of a new road on the north side of

Moose Creek and air access via an airstrip near Glen Creek; (2) vehicle

access only over a ridge-top route (Skyline Drive) to a point east of

Glacier Creek and construction of a new road down a ridge to Spruce

Creek; (3) air access only, with construction of a new airstrip near

Spruce Creek; and (4) no action.

Primary issues to be addressed by the EIS are visitor access;

environmental

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constraints; potentially adverse impacts on natural, physical, and/or

cultural resources; concerns for NPS management and operations; and

interrelationships with adjacent area users. The EIS will assess the

cumulative effects of a new lodge in the Kantishna Hills with 15-30

double-occupancy cabins.

The EIS is being prepared in accordance with the requirements of

the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C.

4331 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR Part 1500.

Interested groups, organizations, individuals and government

agencies are invited to comment on the proposal and alternatives. Three

public scoping meetings are scheduled as noted below. The draft EIS

will be available for public review in the fall of 1998. Public

hearings on the draft EIS will be scheduled in the McKinley Park/Healy

area, Fairbanks, and Anchorage, Alaska, and Washington, DC.

DATES: Public Scoping Meetings:

1. Tuesday, March 31, 1998, 7 p.m., Golden Lion Hotel, Anchorage,

Alaska.

2. Wednesday, April 1, 1998, 7 p.m., Pioneer Room at Alaska Land,

Fairbanks, Alaska.

3. Thursday, April 2, 1998, 7 p.m., Tri-Valley Community Center,

Healy, Alaska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven P. Martin, Superintendent,

Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 9, Denali Park, Alaska

99755. Phone (907) 683-2294.

Paul R. Anderson,

Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 98-7108 Filed 3-18-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-70-P