w '! DéVEIOpmenf _ 5 435?!" ~ 032; .m ' A - - ‘ 4 Alaska Alternatives Workbook for the South Slope Development Concept Plan Winter 1992 Denali National Park and Preserve Alaska United States Department of the Interior National Park Service ’0 wt”) “DEEDS ITORY INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THIS WORKBOOK I The National Park Service has made no decisions regarding trails, huts, interpretive waysides, camp? I ‘ ‘ grounds, or visitor centers on the south slope of Denali National Park and Preserve. The purpose of ' I this workbook is to solicit public input on conceptual draft alternatives for a development concept plan (DCP) for the south slope of the park. The plan, when prepared, will address possible trails and back- country huts within the park boundary, as well as interpretive waysides, visitor centers, and camp- grounds along the George Parks Highway corridor between Talkeetna Junction and Cantvvell. Also addressed in the plan will be the appropriateness of various visitor activities that could occur in this portion of the park. The planning team is seeking comments and suggestions from the public regarding all aspects of the development concept plan. Comments and suggestions received will be used to formulate a preferred alternative, to modify the range of alternatives being considered, and to identify issues and impact topics that will be analyzed in a forthcoming draft environmental impact statement (EIS). HOW TO USE THE WORKBOOK This Alternatives Workbook is divided into three parts. First, the purpose of the development concept plan and the planning approach are described. This is followed by a discussion of the park’s manage- ment plans and related legislative actions, then the results of an earlier scoping letter are reviewed. The second section, "Draft Alternatives," consists of graphic presentations of three action alternatives plus a "no action" alternative. Third, the "Comments" section includes a form on which you may indi- cate your preferences regarding several proposed developments, with additional space for other comments. The comments sheet, when torn out of the workbook and folded, is a pre-addressed, postage-paid mailer. Comments should be postmarked by April 10, 1992, to be included in the analy- sis of responses. PLANNING PROCEDURE AND BACKGROUND PURPOSE OF A DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN Development concept plans provide guidance for the development and use of a particular geographic area—in this case the south slope of Denali National Park and Preserve. DCPs contain early design concepts that outline the functional relationships between facilities, utilities, visitor circulation, topog- raphy, land use concerns, and resource values. Such plans usually are general in nature; they do not contain detailed designs. This provides flexibility for later design decisions to be made closer to the time when facilities are constructed. ' PLANNING APPROACH A scoping letter distributed to the public in July 1991 provided background material for the DCP and a preliminary list of what the National Park Service viewed as the maximum development that would be considered. The objective of that letter was to solicit an early response from the public on specific proposals being considered before developing a range of alternatives for the DCP. The results of that scoping letter are summarized near the end of this section. This workbook includes graphic portrayals of four alternatives, ranging from an alternative that would leave the south slope with virtually no NPS development to one that would provide a well-developed trail and backcountry hut system, a series of interpretive waysides, two campgrounds, and two visitor centers along the George Parks Highway corridor. These alternatives were prepared in cooperation with the state of Alaska. The planning team is requesting public comments on the alternatives presented here. Your comments will help us to determine the proper balance between accommodating visitation and protecting the wil- derness resource of the south slope. After the responses to the workbook are analyzed, the draft alternatives will be modified, a preferred alternative will be selected, and the environmental impacts of all alternatives will be examined in a draft EIS, which also will be distributed for public review and comment. After comments on the draft EIS are received, the preferred alternative may again be modi- fied and a final EIS will be prepared. The final EIS will be distributed to notify the public of the National Park Service's final proposal for the DCP. BACKGROUND Denali National Park and Preserve was established in 1980, expanding the former Mount McKinley National Park by approximately 4 million acres. The expansion included most of the land on the south slope of the Denali massif. In the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), sec. 202 (3)(a), Congress directed that these lands should be managed to protect and interpret the entire mountain massif, and additional scenic mountain peaks and formations; and to protect habitat for, and populations of, fish and wildlife including, but not limited to, brown/grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, swans and other waterfowl; and to provide continued opportunities, including reasonable access, for mountain climb- ing, mountaineering and other wilderness recreational activities. The general management plan (GMP) for Denali National Park and Preserve was approved in 1986. The plan called for completion of a DCP and an EIS to address development of access and facilities 2 on the south slope of the Alaska Range. It also included a recommendation that the feasibility and environmental impacts of the following actions be evaluated: A system of trails in the vicinity of the Ruth Glacier to support day and overnight trips Improved boat access on the Chulitna River, including the possibility of a regularly scheduled boat shuttle that would provide access from a boat launch near the George Parks Highway to a trailhead in the national park on the Tokositna River Connecting trails. in the vicinity of Alder Point with a riverside trailhead Construction of a major visitor activity center within the Denali State Park boundary on Curry Ridge in conjunction with the state of Alaska. Land Status The south slope encompasses a wide variety of private, state, and borough lands. Conceptual loca- tions will be specified in the development proposals contained in the DCP. More detailed planning will be required before construction begins to minimize adverse effects on existing uses or landowners. Denali State Park Master Plan After completion of the GMP for Denali National Park and Preserve, the state of Alaska and the National Park Service entered a cooperative agreement to plan for a South Denali visitor complex, in- cluding a hotel and visitor center. In 1988 it was determined that the Denali State Park master plan should be updated before any decision was made about the visitor complex. The National Park Ser- vice provided financial assistance to the state in this planning effort. Completed in mid—1989, the master plan for Denali State Park proposed many developments within its boundaries, ranging from hiking trails and backcountry public use cabins to a backcountry lodge near the Tokositna River and a small visitor center near the Eldridge Glacier. It also contained evaluations of 16 individual sites for a visitor center and hotel complex (5 sites were outside the state park, 11 were within it). Other State Plans Several other plans adopted by the state of Alaska govern land use in areas adjacent to the national park, including the Susitna Recreation Rivers Management Plan, the Susitna Area Plan, and the Tanana Basin Area Plan. The south slope DCP will not modify these plans, nor will it affect existing uses on lands not in the park; for example, mining, snowmachining, and the use of all-terrain vehicles. 1990 Senate Appropriations Committee Directive A 1990 Senate appropriations committee directive (Senate Report 101-534, p. 538) gave the following direction to the planning effort: The Committee notes that efforts have been ongoing since 1986 to develop a comprehensive plan for visitor facilities in the southern portion of Denali National Park and Preserve. In conjunction with the State of Alaska, the [National Park] Service should complete design and concept plans for visitor facilities in Talkeetna, Alaska and in Denali State Park and should develop a plan for related facilities including campgrounds, trailheads, and huts. In June 1990, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., an Alaska native corporation, asked the Park Service to consid- er the suitability of land the corporation owned near Talkeetna for the proposed south slope visitor center. Under section 1306(a) of ANILCA, where practical and desirable, preferential consideration must be given to native-owned lands for federally funded development projects. 1988 Wilderness Recommendation In compliance with a provision in ANILCA, the National Park Service completed a recommendation in 1988 for lands within Denali National Park and Preserve to be designated as wilderness under the 1964 Wilderness Act. An ElS was prepared concurrently with this recommendation. The recommenda- tion was for 2.25 million acres to be designated as wilderness. The Department of the Interior has not yet made a recommendation to Congress regarding the potential wilderness area. Until Congress acts on a wilderness recommendation, all planning for lands included in the 1988 wilderness recommenda- tion will be conducted as if the lands were designated wilderness. New trail construction is permitted in wilderness areas. In Alaska parklands, public use cabins are permitted for reasons of public health and safety under ANILCA section 1315 (d): Within wilderness areas designated by this Act, the Secretary [of the Interior] or the Secretary of Agriculture as appropriate, is authorized to construct and maintain a limited number of public use cabins and shelters if such cabins and shelters are necessary for the protection of the public health and safety. RESULTS OF SCOPING LETTER The National Park Service received considerable public response from a scoping letter for the DCP that was sent out in July 1991. A total of 142 letters were received from individuals, public interest groups, businesses, and the state of Alaska. In addition, the Park Service received 4 petitions signed by a total of about 890 Talkeetna visitors, residents, and businesses. The signers of the petitions op- posed location of a visitor center in Talkeetna by about a 4 to 1 ratio. Most letter comments also fo- cused on the proposal to construct a visitor center and the possibility that it might be located near Talkeetna. From comments received, the team has identified many issues related to the various pro- posals that were considered significant by those who commented. Scoping Comments Related to Proposed Visitor Center Scoping comments received about a proposed visitor center included the following: - A visitor center in Talkeetna could have major effects on the town's social and economic environ- ment, as well as on parking, traffic, and the general feeling or ambiance of Talkeetna. It also might result in strip development along the Talkeetna access road, an increase in crime, and adverse effects on wetlands. - Other potential locations for a visitor center are the community of Willow, the area near the Mountain Haus (just inside the southern boundary of Denali State Park along the George Parks Highway). and the northern area of the state park near the highway. Scoping Comments Related to Other Proposed Developments Comments received regarding other proposed developments included the following: - Proposed trails and huts might adversely affect wildlife, particularly grizzly bears, trumpeter swans, and caribou. . Trails might be very difficult and expensive to construct because of the terrain on the south slope. - Pack animals (horses and llamas) could have severe adverse effects on trails or routes. - The safety of visitors might be jeopardized by construction of trails because grizzly bears might use the same trails. - Construction of trails and huts might adversely affect the park’s wilderness character. DRAFT ALTERNATIVES The maps on the next several pages depict existing conditions and three preliminary alternatives for a development concept plan for the south slope. The planning team developed these preliminary alternatives after considering the comments from the earlier scoping letter. At this point the National Park Service has no preferred alternative. Please examine the alternatives closely and compare each to existing conditions before completing the "Comments" sheet at the back of this workbook. However, your comments need not be structured to any particular alternative; you may suggest a combination of elements from different alternatives or develop your own alternative. Please make your suggestions as specific as possible to help us under- stand your preferences as we formulate alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS. mmflk§ 5% No trailheads, trails, campgrounds, or public use huts would be constructed by NPS No visitor centers or interpretive waysides would be constructed by NPS Case-by-case management decisions would be made about appropriate activities in the national park AREAS IN THE NATIONAL PARK EXCLUDED FROM 1988 WILDERNESS RECOMMENDATIONS STATE PARK BOUNDARY NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY 54': IgETERSVILLE 5 10 20 NORTH SCALE IN MILES GEORGE PARKS ”WY TALKEETNA p ETERSVILLE ROAD EXISTING CONDITIONS ALTNATIVE A. NO ACTION , TALKEETNA NATIONAL ARK AND PRESERVE 'JUNCTION United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service 030- DEC 91 ' 184 20044 209 CANTWELL 2 interpretive waysides along George Parks Highway, 1 near Talkeetna Comfort stations at selected wayside exhibits developed jointly by federal, state, and private interests Large visitor center (15,000—20,000 sq. ft.) about 1 mile south of Talkeetna Small visitor center (2,000—4,000 sq. ft.) in south part of Denali State Park, as indicated in State Park Master Plan D APPROXIMATE MILEPOST —WAYSIDE EXHIBIT --— STATE PARK BOUNDARY NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY VISITOR CENTER (Large and Small) NORTH SCALE MILES GEORGE PARKS ”WY WAYSIDE EXHIBITS .«J. VISITOR CENTERS psrsnsvus “vo ‘ m ~ TALKEETNA / MT. MC KINLEY VIEW EN TIE B I ,} I ‘ ’ A NATIOALN PRK AD United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service DSC - DEC 91 - 184 20045 GEORGE PARKS HWY p ETERSVILLE ROAD ‘ .J IBULL RIVER CANTWELL Trailhead Access Points Cantwell, Summit, and Bull River Trailheads with information/orientation 10-mile trail system to provide access to national park lands 20—30 site campground at Cantwell 1 backcountry public use hut Toe of Ruth Glacier (Alder Creek confluence with Tokositna River) Boat-in trailhead with information/orientation on Tokositna River Water taxi boat landing on Tokositna River 7-mile trail from Tokositna River to Alder Creek’s intersection with Ruth Glacier End of Petersville Road Trailhead with information/orientation 10-mile trail through Dutch Hills to provide access to national park lands * TRAILH EAD 0 o 0.. o... . CONSTRUCTED TRAIL V§fl§3 WATER TAXI B BOAT LANDING A CAMPGROUND fi EXISTING HUT (Converted to Public Use) —--- — —---— STATE PARK BOUNDARY —---——— NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY o 5 10 20 NORTH SCALE IN uILEs BACKCOUNTRY / TRAILHEADS ATRWEENAT B RK AND PRSEVE United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service 080 DEC 91 184 20046 .92 it 3’ § " V ’a l ‘ ’3 5'66; 3 2;" s g: x, g .. 3: ,¢*- R t’ q A; ' ‘ f ’81“ v; ”9. " gerifi’ti? 5§&A'*:¥4’IO R k C V ‘k 178 HONOLULU CREEK 3% MT.FORAK§ a. u) “-1. / /’ ~32». ”‘ figw‘é “f u “ 5 T x 4’ o \ a?» V” ., & .4 if?" «3 Q ‘9 A. ‘~ «7'» 2‘ g a !' I | w >- M I 3% _-_-m (D K E E LU 0 n: 0 Lu 0 p5 ‘TALKEETNA TERSVILLE ROAD MT. MC KINLEY VIEW 3‘} 98 TALKEETNA JUNCTION 7 interpretive waysides along George Parks Highway, 1 near Talkeetna Comfort stations at selected wayside exhibits developed jointly by federal, state, and private interests Large visitor center (15,000—20,000 sq. ft.) just north of boundary of Denali State Park near George Parks Highway Small visitor center (2,000—4,000 sq. ft.) in south part of Denali State Park, as indicated in State Park Master Plan D APPROXIMATE MILEPOST — WAYSIDE EXHIBIT —--- —---- ——--~~— STATE PARK BOUNDARY —--—-—— NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY VISITOR CENTER (Large and Small) NORTH SCALE IN MILES WAYSIDE EXHIBITS VISITOR CENTERS ALTERNATIVE C NATIONAL I PARK AND PRESERVE United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service 080- DEC 91- 184 20047 Trailhead Access Points Cantwell. Summit, and Bull River Trailheads with information/orientation 41-mile trail system between Cantwell, Summit, and Bull River (trails constructed only where needed to protect sensitive tundra or provide access through dense brush) 20—30 site campground at Cantwell 4 backcountry public use huts 24-mile Riley Creek trail from Cantwell to park road Toe of Ruth Glacier (Alder Creek confluence with Tokositna River) A . Boat~in trailhead with information/orientation on Tokositna River Water taxi boat landing on Tokositna River CANTWELL 18-mile trail from Tokositna River to Alder Pass above Ruth Glacier 1 public use hut End of Petersville Road Trailhead with information/orientation ; _ ‘“\"::"; _ _. \ 3 a} ' . ‘~ . A . . ' a \ ~ ‘ ‘ ' ,, Z Z 24-mIle loop trail through Dutch Hills and overlooking TokOSItna Glacner §$3 g» ”M" “ tag? 3;, I ~ I l , .15 )3.» * TRAILHEAD _ .......... CONSTRUCTED TRAIL / Z (M) VZ ;; f ; ‘ BULL RIVER - « » ’" , oooooooooo BACKCOUNTRY ROUTE "tit: _ 3% 3% f%%’% WATER TAXI - ’ 3 B BOAT LANDING m Ffié‘iien A CAMPGROUND ”i h ‘ OD PROPOSED NEW HUT “ 3 “ EXISTING HUT (Converted to Public Use) «4 . : ' Z;W ““9? — — — — STATE PARK BOUNDARY I _ I Z 3 ‘Q —--—-—— NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY . <3 a? ’ ' w . . s25?”- .., £3 0 1‘ ,3. > ,, , - o s 1 20 Z Z Jr: ° 4» «a _ J . M V J' -.'. NORTH SCALE IN MILES J r 33/ . —-—._-—-—-1 9", r. l m ' I "X . | Z I , PETERSVILLE ! .3 j GEORGE PARKS HWY BACKCOUNTRY / TRAILHEADS ALTERNATIVE C p ETERSVILLE ROAD NATILONALKIPWARK AND PRESERVE United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service 080' DEC 91 - 184 20048 t, )3" \ l 1' e c ‘ .\ a 2“ ”M’ ~ figuwm é .f‘V' 5: , x» ("3 . 1' '4 g , I. It s" i. f, ~ 5‘ ‘\ ,, . : g 1'on CANTWELL 3k . j; 3""? A; B u L L 3‘“. < F/ 7 f '0" 1~ .3 . ,; . j ‘ i I 1 SUMMIT VIEW t r I if. If §yfg§géa F: A ‘ § ‘ '3‘ ‘3‘ fig 3‘ x I a .I' 3 2:: ’P ‘ V e33; , view in a 15% 3' J fig :%32$\ . _ ; :4?»3"”mm'fikzfifilfi3i‘figo R k \C I, f , /' W 5;; a, 1‘ _ ' . . | UES is ‘ 12:” ,r ’1 ‘ .1 .~ 1 ,\ J " 195 GL IER C «, m 185 EAST FORK REST AREA ‘6 15?; .1 ”2:: 1 4 4);,” a K (0 9 ., f {g I? t D G <5, , ”1’!"le fi< - 1’ h.) N ’ . 3 1‘] (it. . A}? ' $3“ 4153““; £15 9M?” .4 I. f; a g *1; . , Q g. 0 g '5 fi - x 1:: C 'y‘igéo 6 '53:?! and] 4‘ RT: ‘9 ‘3‘ I €15 4/“, .3”; v3. 1'“in j a '~ 0 , ,. v, 0 z a r'. o ”'0 xiii Ac 1., + o <6 , “ 3* ’° I'll -r-—I—- 2‘ -—--—=..—_-- .'.. J-I [ k 0 5/ it o .5 J': L-~—] .r‘ 2 A“) II 13 ' MT. MC KINLEY VIEW .l" L;_ 7 <9 _ - ’ .EORGE PARKS HWy gr. 23 POND ENVIRONMENT I! TALKEETNA MT. MC KINLEY VIEW p ETERSV’LLE ROAD 106 RABlDEUX CREEK “ 14 interpretive waysides along George Parks Highway, 1 near Talkeetna Comfort stations at selected wayside exhibits developed jointly by federal, state, and private interests Large visitor center (15,000—20,000 sq. ft.) in north development zone of Denali State Park D APPROXIMATE MILEPOST -WAYSIDE EXHIBIT STATE PARK BOUNDARY —---——— NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY % VISITOR CENTER @ o s 10 20 NORTH SCALE IN MILES WAYSIDE EXHIBITS VISITOR CENTERS ALTERNATIVE D NATIONALMPARK AND PRESERVE United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service DSC- DEC 91-184 20049 Trailhead Access Points Cantwell, Summit, and Bull River Trailheads with information/orientation 81-mile trail system between Cantwell, Summit, and Bull River Small (20—30 site) campgrounds at Cantwell and Summit 5 backcountry public use huts 24-mile Riley Creek trail from Cantwell to park road Toe of Ruth Glacier (Alder Creek confluence with Tokositna River) Trailheads with information/orientation on Tokositna River and on George Parks Highway ' Water taxi boat landing on Tokositna River 27-mile trail from George Parks Highway to Alder Pass above Ruth Glacier 2 public use hut CANTWELL End of Petersville Road Trailhead with information/orientation 24-mile loop trail through Dutch Hills and overlooking Tokositna Glacier 1 public use hut inside national park boundary Head of Chelatna Lake Trailhead with information/orientation—access by float plane 8-mile trail up Cripple Creek to above shrub line 1 public use but * TRAILHEAD o 0000 coco o CONSTRUCTED TRAIL BULL RIVER f%%’% WATER TAXI B BOAT LANDING A CAM PGROUND fl EXISTING HUT (Converted to Public Use) 6% PROPOSED NEW HUT —~-— ~----—— STATE PARK BOUNDARY —-—-—-— NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY 1 ,0 o 5 10 20 :-: ‘9 r a.” . . NORTH SCALE IN uILEs . dc l_l_-_ITI_I RU GLACIER CHELATNA LAKE CHELATNA GEORGE PARKS ”WY BACKCOUNTRY / TRAILHEADS ALTERNIATVE D p ETEHSVILLE ROAD NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service 086- DEC 91 - 184 20050 NOTES COMMENTS (must be postmarked by April 10, 1992) Your answers to the following questions will help us to formulate a preferred alternative and/or modify the range of alter- natives that will be analyzed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Space is provided at the left and on the back for you to write additional comments and discuss your reactions to the various proposals or to the process being used to develop the DCP. The space may also be used if none of the alternative choices shown below are satisfactory to you. It a LARGE visitor center Is built on the south slope, where should It be located? E North and of Denali State Park E South end of Denali State Park D Lands north of Denali State Park D Native-owned land near Talkeetna D Other (please indicate where) [3 None If a SMALL visitor center is built on the south slope, where should It be located? E North and of Denali State Park E South and of Denali State Park D Lands north of Denali State Park D Native-owned land near Talkeetna D Other (please indicate where) D None Which alternative do you think has the most appropriate number of trails to be constructed on the south slope? D Alternative A (no action) D Alternative B E] Alternative C D Alternative D In which alternative do you think the number of public use huts is most appropriate? D Alternative A (no action) D Alternative B D Alternative C D Alternative D Which alternative do you think has the most appropriate number of interpretive waysides along the George Parks Highway? D Alternative A (no action) D Alternative B D Alternative C D Alternative D In the following list of activities, please indicate which you think are appropriate or not appropriate in this part of Denali National Park and Preserve, and indicate the Iocation(s) where you think they could take place. Not Activity Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Location for this Activity Snowmachining Horse Use Llama Use Parasailing/Hang Gliding Commercial Snow Coaches Other (please list on other half of page) Not Activity Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Location for this Activity Please use the blank part of this page and the space on the back for any additional comments or suggestions. The page is designed to be torn out and folded for mailing to the address printed on the reverse side. QUS. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1992—836'098 Sumew eIDIaq eJaq edeI ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS :r-n ......................................................... I foldhere) 5% as: UNITED STATES 351 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR “N15553:: 5 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE .F MNLED 5 DENVER SERVICE CENTER — DSC-TWE IN THE ' P.O. BOX 25287 UNITED STATES Denver, CO 80225-0287 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300 BUSINESS REPLY MAIL ; FIRST CLASS Permit No. 12651 WASHINGTON, DC. POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE : South Slope Denali Comments . National Park Service . Denver Service Center - DSC-TWE : PO. Box 25287 Denver, CO 80225-0287 NATION‘AE PARK As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural and cultural resources. This includes fostering wise use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historic places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The department also promotes the goals of the Take Pride in America campaign by encouraging stewardship and citizen responsibility for the public lands and promoting citizen participation in their care. The department has major responsibility for American Indian reserva— tion communities and for people who live in island territories under US. administration. Publication services were provided by the Branch of Publications and Graphic Design of the Denver Service Center. NPS D-175, February 1992.