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Natural Resources Public Lands Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Congressman Young’s Denali National Park Improvement Act

Washington, D.C., May 13, 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a hearing on H.R. 586, the Denali National Park Improvement Act, introduced by Congressman Don Young earlier this year.  This legislative package would accomplish three purposes related to the Denali National Park and Preserve. 

The bill would:
  • Authorize the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for a microhydro project in the Kantishna Hills area within the Denali National Park and Preserve
  • Allow a natural gas pipeline to be built within a small portion of the Denali National Park and Preserve
  • Name the Talkeetna Ranger Station after Walter Harper, the first person to reach the summit of Mt. McKinley.

“H.R. 586 is win-win legislation that benefits the environment and all parties involved,”Rep. Young said.  “This bill combines elements of legislation that was passed last Congress by both the House and Senate, and I am hopeful that in the 113th Congress we can clear the path for swift approval of this package that will help develop a much needed renewable energy within the park, allow for a natural gas right-of-way, and also honor Walter Harper, an Athabascan who was the first person to summit Mt. McKinley.”

Kantishna Micro-Hydro Project:

This legislation would allow the Doyon Native Corporation to build a micro-hydroelectric project inside Denali National Park and Preserve to power Kantishna Roadhouse, a backcountry lodge the Fairbanks based Native Corporation owns 100 miles inside the park.

The project would include a 50-kilowatt power plant, a small impoundment dam and a small pipeline to carry water. Also, it facilitates a small land exchange to clear a path for this project. This facility would displace a diesel generation currently used to power the roadhouse. 

Natural Gas Pipeline: 

H.R. 586 would authorize a right-of-way for possible construction of a natural gas pipeline to run along the seven mile portion of the Parks Highway that cuts through the Park. 

Naming Talkeetna Ranger Station in Honor of Athabascan Climber:

Finally, H.R. 586 would name the Talkeetna Ranger station after Walter Harper, the first person to summit Mt. McKinley.  The Talkeetna Ranger Station is the home of Denali National Park's mountaineering rangers, and is located roughly 100 miles south of the entrance to the park in the town of Talkeetna. Anybody who intends to attempt a climb of Mt. McKinley is required to first stop at the Talkeetna Ranger Station for their permit and mountain orientation. 

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