Alaska National Park Service Accepting Public Comment Period For Various Proposals

The following is courtesy of the National Park Service, Alaska Region:

King Salmon, Alaska. – Alaska’s National Parks are inviting comment on proposed changes to parks’ Compendiums. The Compendium is a compilation of all designations, closures and restrictions adopted under discretionary authority within the regulations covering national parks. The Compendium, as part of the park-related regulations, helps provide for the use, enjoyment and protection of Alaska’s National Parks. 

Information on proposed changes, including how to submit a comment is available at https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/proposed-compendiums.htm 

www.nps.gov 

Here’s the list of proposed changes for Alaska National Parks:

Katmai National Park and Preserve:

The Superintendent is seeking comment on proposed changes to the Superintendent’s Compendium. The compendium is a written compilation of designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions adopted under the Superintendent’s discretionary authority. 

Information on how to submit comments is available at:  https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/proposed-compendiums.htm

After review and consideration of the need for annual updates, the following substantive changes are proposed. 

2.10(a)(9) Conditions for Camping: 

NPS proposes to prohibit generator use in the Brooks Camp campground. 

The use of generators is prohibited in the Brooks Camp campground. 

The reason for this change is as follows: 

Brooks Camp campground is a tent camping only facility that requires a reservation and is limited to an overnight capacity of 60 people. The campground is in a remote area only accessible by float plane or vessel and is usually pre-reserved to capacity in the busy season. Historically the park has not seen any personal generator use in the campground and it was never considered by the park as something that would occur. In 2021 a visitor indicated their intention to bring and utilize a generator in the campground. While it could be interpreted under current regulations that generator use in the Brooks Camp campground would constitute unreasonable noise and/or prohibited use of a portable motor or engine, there is some room for ambiguity. The Park would like to establish that the noise and exhaust of a generator in the campground would be inappropriate for the confined natural setting of the camping area. Generator use would have an unsuitable impact to other permitted occupants, visitors and those hiking through on the Dumpling Mountain trail. 

With the wide availability and low-cost of portable battery power stations, solar chargers, and portable USB charging stations, there is no reasonable need to run internal combustion engine generators in the natural setting of the Brooks Camp campground. 

Denali National Park:

This project addresses the 2022 Denali National Park and Preserve Superintendent’s Compendium. 

Changes to the Superintendent’s Compendium for 2022 are proposed with respect to the following: 

13.980 Frontcountry Developed Area Closures and Restrictions 

No Current Language. Proposed New Language: 
The following National Park Service administrative areas are closed to all public entry unless permission is granted by the Superintendent or their representative: 
• Dog Kennels when not designated as open to the public. Public visitation hours will be posted. 
• Employee Housing Areas 
• Concession Housing Areas 
• Maintenance and Facilities Storage areas 
• Park Buildings not otherwise open to the public 
All closed areas will be signed to this effect. 

Why Change is Warranted: 
The Superintendent has determined that these closures are necessary to provide government efficiency, ensure accountability of government equipment, reduce risk within the concessioner’s land assignment, and provide a safe environment for employees. 

13.50 Closures or restrictions associated with road construction in 2022 and 2023 
Planning for major construction on the Park Road during 2022 and 2023 in the Polychrome area is underway as of early 2022. Proposed temporary closures or restrictions to access on sections of the Park Road will be part of the overall planning process and may be incorporated into the Superintendent’s Compendium when finalized. Public notification will occur with any closure or access restrictions. 

The proposed changes described above represent minor changes in amounts or types of visitor use for the purpose of ensuring visitor safety and resource protection in accordance with existing regulations. 

A public comment period regarding proposed changes to the compendium will be open from January 15, 2022 – February 15, 2022. 

General information about park compendiums: 

The Superintendent’s Compendium is the summary of park specific rules implemented under the discretionary authority of the park Superintendent. The park compendium is updated annually and is a written compilation that addresses designations, closures, permit requirements, and other restrictions and/or specifications imposed under the discretionary authority of the superintendent. The Superintendent’s Compendium is prepared in accordance with the delegated authority contained within the regulations in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter I, Parts 1 through 7, as authorized by Title 54, United States Code, Section 100101 and 100751, and establishes regulatory provisions for Denali National Park and Preserve. Parts 1 through 6 are general regulations applicable to all areas of the National Park System, and Part 13 contains special regulations specific to individual parks in Alaska. 

The park compendium does not contain those regulations found in 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and other United States Codes (U.S.C.) and CFR Titles which are enforced without further elaboration at the park level. 

Regulations set forth in the Superintendent’s Compendium are categorically excluded under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 USC 4321 et seq.); Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508); U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) regulations (43 CFR Part 46); DOI Manual part 516; and NPS Director’s Order 12 – Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making. 

Glacier Bay National Park:

This project addresses proposed changes to the 2022 Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Superintendent’s Compendium. A compendium, one for each NPS area in Alaska, is a compilation of designations, closures and restrictions adopted under the discretionary authority within the regulations covering national parks. This regulatory tool helps manage Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve for the public’s enjoyment, use and protection. 

Access the proposed changes open for public comment by clicking the “Open for Comment” tab to the left and select the document available for review. Public comment will be open from 1/18/2022 through 2/18/2022. 

The “Links” tab to the left offers pathways to view current compendiums, proposed changes within the Alaska Region, and general compendium information.