Winter road plowing in Denali National Park and Preserve: Monitoring results 2018

Appignani JA, Clark WC, Bracher TA. 2018. Winter road plowing in Denali National Park and Preserve: Monitoring results 2018. Natural Resource Report. NPS/DENA/NRR—2018/1794. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado

Denali National Park and Preserve completed an Environmental Assessment in February 2013 that evaluated opening the park road to private vehicle traffic earlier than the typical mid-March date to increase the range of recreational opportunities along the Denali Park Road during winter months. The Finding of No Significant Impact, signed in June 2013, identified the alternative which allows road plowing from mile 3 to mile 12.6 (Mountain Vista Rest Area) as the preferred alternative. The Early Road Opening (ERO) period begins annually near February 1 and will occur on a trial basis for three to five years while the park monitors effects on natural resources, park program finances, and visitor experience and opportunities. Here we report findings from the 2018 ERO, the final year of the original trial period – a Categorical Exclusion was signed to continue the plowing period another two years.

Type
Published Report
Authors
Appignani, Julien; Clark, William; Bracher, Taylor
Date of Issue
2018-11
Publisher
National Park Service
Units
DENA , NRSS
Keywords
Alaska, DENA, Denali National Park, recreation, road plowing, traffic, visitation, wildlife, wildlife-vehicle interactions, winter maintenance, winter use
Subjects
Ecological Framework: Human Use | Visitor and Recreation Use | Visitor Use

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