March 24, 2014
Lake Clark GMP
National Park Service
Denver Service Center-Read
PO Box 25287
Denver, CO 80225
To whom it may concern:
The purpose of this letter is to offer the comments of the Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition (AQRC) on the Lake Clark NP & PGeneral Management Plan Amendment/EA. AQRC is a state-wide nonprofit organization that believes that natural sounds and natural quiet are resources of our public lands that deserve protection by land managers similar to those granted to water and air. To ensure enjoyment of those resources we advocate that public land managers allocate, in a fair and equitable manner, separate areas and trails for non-motorized recreationists and motorized recreationists.
We are pleased with the emphasis placed on preserving and serving wilderness values in both alternatives, B and C. With the exception of the proposals for the Proenneke cabin we support the Preferred Alternative B. The minimal development activities proposed under Alternative B appear to be necessary primarily in order to protect the park’s natural resources rather than a means to attract increased visitation.
In regard to the Proenneke cabin site we understand that staffing the site by NPS and/or volunteers would protect the site from inadvertent wear and tear and/or deliberate vandalism by visitors. However, we believe that a visitor, seeking to understand, appreciate and experience a taste of the wilderness life lived by Richard Proenneke , will not be able to have that experience when faced with the presence of park personnel/ volunteer, a guided tour or a “canned” presentation. We suggest that you remove the artifacts, replace with copies and mount a written description of the site (no paper) some distance from the cabin so those interested can be educated.
We would also urge that priority be given to conducting the baseline studies of the park’s resources so that indicators can be established and effective monitoring undertaken. We agree that visitation is not likely to dramatically increase in the next few years, but you now have the rare opportunity to develop and implement management strategies and plans in anticipation of future growth rather than doing so while trying to cope with growth.
Thank you for this opportunity to comment.
Sincerely yours,
Susan Olsen, member, Board of Directors
Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition
PO Box 202592
Anchorage, AK 99516
cc: Superintendent Margret Goodro