Summary

The National Park Service (NPS) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to develop and implement a plan to manage vehicles along the Denali park road, including carrying capacity (the maximum number of vehicles that can be accommodated on the Denali park road May-September). 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. The EIS will evaluate a no action alternative of maintaining the existing vehicle management system on the Denali park road including current bus schedules, vehicle allocation, and carrying capacity. 

Action alternatives will consider potential changes to transportation system components including carrying capacity, and allocation of vehicle use among shuttle buses, tours, inholders, professional photographers, and administrative vehicles. It will also consider changes to bus scheduling and spacing; the size and type of buses; tour services; educational opportunities and interpretive services; and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The NPS will consider a wide range of information including data collected from the 1930’s to the present. Intensive studies conducted over the last three years on wildlife populations and behavior, social science studies on visitor experience, and extensive modeling of traffic patterns on the park road will be considered in the development and analysis of alternatives. Denali Park Road Capacity Study

Background

Frequently Asked Questions

Adaptive Management

Public Scoping Meetings

Comments concerning the scope of this project were requested to be received on or before September 30, 2008. We held four public scoping meetings in September. All meetings were held from 6pm to 8pm with a presentation at 6:30pm. Members of the public were invited to share their ideas and concerns with park staff.

Anchorage - September 3, 2008, J.Z. Loussac Library, Wilda Marston Theater
Susitna Valley - September 4, 2008, Talkeetna Ranger Station
Denali Park - September 10, 2008, Murie Science and Learning Center
Fairbanks - September 11, 2008, Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

How to Comment

Scoping Newsletter

Submit Comments

Summary of Scoping Comments Newsletter

Project Schedule

For further information contact: Denali Park Planning, Miriam Valentine, P.O. Box 588, Talkeetna, AK 99676