Paul Anderson - Denali Backcountry Management Plan

DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE

Developing and Implementing an Adaptive Management

Backcountry & Wilderness Plan

Purpose of the Presentation

1. Why we needed the Plan2. Our Public Process 3. Management Strategy4. Toolkit of Management Actions5. Five Lessons Learned

Denali was established as a National Park in 1917

•To protect the Dall Sheep

•Included Mt. McKinley

Need for the Plan1. Guidance for managing 1980 Park

Additions2. Visitation had grown significantly since

19763. Scope and extent of activities was rapidly

increasing4. NPS needed to take action to protect park

resources

The Public Planning Process

Public Meetings

Major IssuesProtecting Traditional Uses

All Terrain Vehicle use for Subsistence

Major Issues

Major IssuesSnowmachine Use

Major Issues

Soundscape Preservation

Major IssuesClimbing

Management

Major Issues

Commercial Use

-Addressed each issue-Set use limits-Established behavioral requirements

Initial Draft Plan

Revised Draft Plan

27 Public Meetings Over 50 separate Consultations 15,198 public comments

Final Backcountry Management Plan

Management Areas

Management Area Descriptors

Indicators & Standards

Standards Descriptors

Monitoring & Evaluation Process

The “Toolkit”

1. Education2. Increased Enforcement of

Existing Regulations3. Voluntary Restrictions4. Required Registration5. Technology Use Requirements

The “Toolkit” (cont.)

6. Manage Commercial Activity7. Regulate Visitor Numbers8. Temporal Restrictions9. Temporary and Permanent

Closures10. Other Agencies’ Management

Authorities

Five Lessons Learned

Include everyone in the Planning Process.

Lessons LearnedEstablish a Dialog with disparate interests.

Lessons Learned

Listen with an open mind.

Lessons LearnedMonitoring and Evaluation are

critical.

Lessons Learned

Planners must talk to the Implementers!

Denali is managed to Plan