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Action Alert: NPS Plans to Build Cabin in Katmai Wilderness: 2/10 Share
The National Park Service (NPS) is expediting public comments on an ill-advised proposal to construct a 20-ft. by 12-ft cabin at Swikshak Bay in the Katmai Wilderness in Alaska. NPS has set the deadline for comments on March, 3, 2010 so it can utilize funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (economic stimulus bill). The project’s environmental assessment (EA) can be viewed at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=13&projectId=25601.
The cabin is intended to support ranger patrols and the scientific and recreational purposes of the Wilderness. Although the NPS admits there are no existing legislative exceptions to the Wilderness Act or the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) allowing construction of this cabin, they claim the cabin meets the minimum requirement necessary for administration of the Wilderness.
A run down cabin, built prior to Wilderness designation, remains at the proposed cabin site. The cabin was built by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to support a clam study. It is no longer used for that purpose nor by rangers patrolling the area. Currently, rangers use tents inside an electric fence. The fence keeps brown bears away from camp, negating the claim that a cabin is needed for safety.
Issue:
The proposed action violates the letter and spirit of the Wilderness Act and will degrade the Katmai Wilderness. It represents the all-too-common spread of permanent structures and other administrative facilities in Wilderness, justified with flawed rationalization. NPS policies require that, “Park visitors need to accept wilderness on its own unique terms…including possible dangers from wildlife, weather conditions, physical features, and other natural phenomena….” NPS managers should set an example for these visitors to follow.
What you can do:
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Support the “no action” alternative. It best protects the Katmai’s wilderness character and is recognized as the “environmentally preferred” option.
* Urge the NPS to use their stimulus funding to remove the dilapidated existing cabin. Removing the cabin will restore the area to a more natural state and protect wilderness character.
* Encourage the NPS to develop and follow an appropriate wilderness stewardship plan for the Katmai Wilderness.
Send comments by March 3, 2010 to:
Attention Daniel Noon
Chief of Environmental Planning
Katmai National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 7
King Salmon, AK 99613-0007
Telephone 907-246-2101
Fax 907-246-2116
Email: Daniel_Noon@nps.gov
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