A month ago I posted a letter I wrote to Secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar; Senators; Conservation Groups; and perhaps most importantly, Superintendent of Denali Park, Paul Anderson. The letter expressed my opinion on the new Park Road Vehicle Management Plan. Sounds like a boring letter, but allow me to boast and argue that it is not boring.
I ask for Superintendent Anderson’s resignation. How can that be dull. Read that letter here.
It is nice to know that letter did not go unread. U.S. Senator Mark Begich recently responded to it. I thought you might enjoy reading his response. You will find it below.
December 12, 2011
Dear Mr. Bourne:
Thank you for contacting me about the Denali National Park Vehicle Management Plan.
For most Alaskans, Denali National Park is the crown jewel in our national park system and a symbol for our state. Balancing the need to preserve wildlife and wilderness values with the public’s substantial interest in seeing that landscape is a difficult task. It’s difficult to provide access for all who want to experience the park without having visitors “love it to death.” Any plan will necessarily be a compromise between these objectives.
To remedy some of the concerns you raise about the chance for Alaskans to have a less crowded visitor experience, I support increased access to the Park’s southern side through Denali State Park and a joint state-federal visitor center on state lands. This proposal has the ability to offer a number of different types of visitor activity on a smaller scale and through shoulder seasons and even into winter.
Thanks again for sending me your concerns about the park plan, and please don’t hesitate to do so in the future.
Sincerely,
Mark Begich
U.S. Senator
