Denali Citizens Council objects to Murkowski push for new road

Spectrum, by Denali Citizens Council

On Oct. 5, Gov. Frank Murkowski told the Alaska Travel Industry Association that Denali National Park needs more access -- specifically, an expensive new northern route just 17 miles from the existing park road.

The governor's press release stated that Denali's existing road is "overburdened," a statement not borne out by the facts.

The visitor transportation system, or shuttle bus, has empty seats daily. The Tundra Wilderness Tour and the Denali Natural History Tour provide additional opportunities to travel into the park. In addition, the Park Service is developing science-based activities through the new Murie Science and Learning Center and interpretive activities at the new visitor center.

Winter services have increased. Rather than shirking its tourism mandate, Denali National Park has managed a threefold increase in visitation over the past 20 years.

Murkowski did not tell ATIA the whole story.

He didn't mention that Denali's northern additions were added by the Alaska Lands Act in 1980 primarily to support habitat for Denali's large mammals.

He didn't mention that the National Park Service is currently exploring less potentially damaging alternatives for greater enjoyment of Denali.

He didn't mention that the annual road lottery into Denali was a success again this year.

Furthermore, at the same time that Murkowski is demanding more access, the federal government is cutting the park's operational budget.

"To promote spending over $100 million for a new road into wilderness at a time when state and federal budgets are overburdened is clearly shortsighted public policy," said Nancy Bale, president of Denali Citizens Council. "Also, the National Park Service has never favored a northern route into Kantishna. The northern additions to Denali were added by ANILCA expressly for the protection of wildlife and habitat, exactly what people from around the nation come to see."

Finally, Murkowski didn't mention that Alaskans want their national parks to remain special places, places where tourism access is balanced by the mandate to preserve resources for future generations.

Denali is large for a reason. The existing road meets current demands. A new road just a few miles north will bisect habitat, promote sprawl in local communities that are in the earliest stages of land planning and cost the state and federal government millions of dollars in construction and maintenance.

Tell the whole story, governor. Alaskans want Denali to stay special through careful development and proactive limits.

Denali Citizens Council, a community-based public interest group located in the Denali Borough, has worked since 1974 to raise awareness on issues affecting local livelihoods and lifestyles, along with the well-being of Denali National Park and Preserve. The organization has over 250 members, almost half of whom are residents of the Denali Borough. Visit www.denalicitizens.org.