On Sept. 18, 2007, National Park Service (NPS) Alaska Regional Director Marcia Blaszak signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the selected action that was evaluated in the “Denali National Park and Preserve Cantwell Subsistence Off-Road Vehicle Management Environmental Assessment."
In July 2005, the NPS published the final “Cantwell Subsistence Traditionally Employed Off-Road Vehicle Determination" which opened the entire 32,159 acre Cantwell traditional off-road vehicle (ORV) use area (TUA) to the use of ORVs for subsistence purposes by NPS qualified subsistence users. With input from the State of Alaska, the Denali Subsistence Resources Commission, and other members of the public, the NPS developed four alternatives to manage subsistence related ORV use in the Cantwell TUA.
The selected action (a modified Alternative 3) allows the Cantwell TUA to remain open to use of ORVs by NPS qualified subsistence users for all subsistence purposes on specified NPS-managed trails and routes. The analysis of the selected alternative suggests that moose harvest levels in the Cantwell TUA will remain the same or increase slightly above current levels.
“The NPS has selected this alternative to assure subsistence ORV use in this area is proactively managed," said Superintendent Paul Anderson. “This is necessary in order to minimize adverse impacts to the resources and values for which the park was established while also providing reasonable access for subsistence purposes."
The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be distributed to individuals, organizations, and agencies that commented on the environmental assessment. The FONSI is posted on the park web site at: https://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/planning.htm.
For any additional information or questions on the FONSI, please call the Superintendent’s Office at (907) 683-9581.
- NPS -
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
