Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Public Hearing; Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-487, as amended), and 43 CFR 36.6 and 36.10 (d), the National Park Service has prepared a draft EIS and subsistence evaluation for requested access to an inholding, Spruce #4, in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. ANILCA requires the Secretary of Interior shall provide adequate and feasible access for economic and other purposes to inholdings surrounded by conservation system units in Alaska, subject to reasonable regulations. The regulations at 43 CFR part 36, ``Access into Conservation System Units in Alaska,'' specify that the NPS shall permit the right-of-way requested by the applicant unless it finds that the route or method of access would cause significant adverse impacts, jeopardize public health and safety, be inconsistent with the management plans for and purposes of the area, or is unnecessary to accomplish the applicant's land use objective. If the NPS makes one of these

findings, then another alternative route or method of access shall be specified that provides adequate and feasible access. The NPS has analyzed alternatives to the proposal and mitigating measures to minimize adverse environmental impacts to the park, but no agency- preferred alternative has been identified in the draft EIS. Section 810 of ANILCA requires an evaluation of ``effect of the proposed permit on subsistence uses and needs, the availability of other lands for the purposes sought to be achieved, and other alternatives which would reduce or eliminate the use, occupancy, or deposition of public lands needed for subsistence purposes.'' Notice to subsistence committees and regional councils and a hearing are required steps for authorizing a federal land use that would significantly restrict subsistence uses. Two of the draft EIS alternatives would significantly restrict subsistence uses. Informational meetings and public hearings on the draft EIS and subsistence evaluation are scheduled for the locations, dates, and times indicated below:

Anchorage, AL

August 23, 1999, 7-10 p.m.; University of Alaska--Anchorage, Business Education Building, Room BEB-101.

Fairbanks, AL

August 24, 1999, 7-10 p.m.; Noel Wien Library Auditorium; 1215 Cowles Street.

McKinley Village, AL

August 25, 1999, 7-10 p.m.; Community Center; Mile 230 George Parks Highway.

Kantishna, AL

August 26, 1999, 9-11 p.m.; Kantishna Roadhouse library; Mile 90 Denali Park Road.

Washington, DC

September 14, 1999, 2-4 p.m.; Main Interior Building Auditorium; 1849 C Street NW.

The first hour of each meeting will be an open house format. Representatives of the NPS will be available to provide information about the access request and the draft EIS and to answer questions in an informal setting. Public testimony on the draft EIS and subsistence evaluation will be recorded at the public hearing that will begin at the second hour.

Background

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Access to Spruce Creek considers an access proposal and four alternatives to a 20-acre inholding on Spruce Creek in the Kantishna Hills of Denali National Park and Preserve. The inholding lies about 10 miles east of mile 88 of the Denali Park Road. The owners have applied to the NPS for a right- of-way permit to upgrade and maintain a gravel road and airstrip to access, construct, and operate a remote lodge with 30 double-occupancy cabins for overnight visitors. The draft EIS alternatives differ in terms of route, means, or a combination of both, as well as impact on subsistence. The requested access and four alternatives are proximate to but outside of the Denali Wilderness Area. The proposed Moose Creek Route Alternative (the applicants' proposed action) would be approximately a 10-mile improved road over an existing mining access route, where practical, from the Denali Park Road at mile 88 to the Spruce #4 parcel of land. This alternative includes a spur road to an extension of the Glen Creek landing strip for air access in winter and for optional summer access. This route would cross Moose Creek, Spruce Creek, and other streams a total of 30 times in the form of fords. This alternative would result in a significant restriction of subsistence uses. Alternatives to the proposed action are: • North Bench Route Alternative would follow the first three miles of the Moose Creek route. This 9.7-mile route would cross Moose Creek with a new bridge and then traverse benches north of Moose Creek to Spruce #4, crossing Rainy, Dry, and Glen Creeks once each with a reinforced ford. About 5 miles of new road and extension of the Glen Creek landing strip would need to be constructed. This alternative would result in a significant restriction of subsistence uses. • Skyline Drive Alternative would follow a ridge-top mining access route from mile 91 of the Denali Park Road to Glen Creek and over a bench to Spruce Creek. This 12-mile route would follow 10 miles of existing mining access routes, require 2 miles of new road, and ford Glen Creek 24 times. The existing Kantishna Airstrip would be used as needed for air access. This alternative would not result in a significant restriction of subsistence uses. • Air-Access-Only Alternative would require a 2,500-foot new airstrip adjacent to the Spruce #4 parcel of land with a short spur road. This alternative would not result in a significant restriction of subsistence uses. • No-Action Alternative represents no change from the current management direction. This alternative is included for comparative purposes. The affirmative requirements of Title XI of ANILCA and its implementing regulations preclude selection of this alternative absent a change in circumstances. Those circumstances could include acquisition of the property by the NPS or withdrawal of the application. In the meantime, the applicants could apply for access with no road or airstrip improvements. This alternative would not result in a significant restriction of subsistence uses. Facilities common to each action alternative would include a lodge with 30 cabins and related utility, maintenance, and staff facilities. Guests would be transported to the lodge by the park Visitor Transport System buses to Kantishna and from there by two 15-passenger vans or by single engine aircraft. About 30 guests would be transported in and out of the lodge each day during the summer season, and in the winter season about 10 people would be transported in and out of the lodge once every 3 days. Recreational activities would include hiking, wildlife viewing, gold panning, sport fishing, dog mushing, skiing, and snowshoeing. About 13 people would be employed during the winter season and 17 to 21 people during the summer season. Paul R. Anderson, Acting Regional Director, Alaska. [FR Doc. 99-19786 Filed 7-30-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P