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User's Guide to Accessing Inholdings in a National Park Service Area in Alaska
Alaska Regional Office » User's Guide to Accessing Inholdings in a National Park Service Area in Alaska » Document List
Within Alaska's national park units, there are more than 1.6 million acres of land owned by private individuals, corporations, the State of Alaska, and local governments. These owners and other valid occupants are entitled to adequate and feasible access to their property, but the process of obtaining legal access across NPS land has never been well described in a single document.
In 2005, the NPS released for public review a draft User's Guide to help landowners and others understand the process to authorize access across park areas. More than 40 comment letters were received from individuals, corporations, and governments; in addition, four public meetings were held with more than 60 people participating. The release of the second draft followed, and commitments were made in public meetings, before a policy document was finalized. This draft includes significant changes based on those comments.
The guide is an outcome of conversations held in 2004 among U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski, and NPS Alaska Regional Director Marcia Blaszak.
The document describes how landowners and other valid occupants can secure rights under Section 1110(b) of the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). It addresses motorized access to inholdings, as well as access that would require improvements such as construction or maintenance of a road, power line, landing strip, or similar undertakings on publicly owned NPS land. Access by airplane, boat, snowmachine, and various methods of non-motorized travel not requiring improvements generally do not require a permit.
Associate Regional Director for Resources and Operations
National Park Service
Alaska Regional Office
240 W. 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
In 2005, the NPS released for public review a draft User's Guide to help landowners and others understand the process to authorize access across park areas. More than 40 comment letters were received from individuals, corporations, and governments; in addition, four public meetings were held with more than 60 people participating. The release of the second draft followed, and commitments were made in public meetings, before a policy document was finalized. This draft includes significant changes based on those comments.
The guide is an outcome of conversations held in 2004 among U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski, and NPS Alaska Regional Director Marcia Blaszak.
The document describes how landowners and other valid occupants can secure rights under Section 1110(b) of the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). It addresses motorized access to inholdings, as well as access that would require improvements such as construction or maintenance of a road, power line, landing strip, or similar undertakings on publicly owned NPS land. Access by airplane, boat, snowmachine, and various methods of non-motorized travel not requiring improvements generally do not require a permit.
Contact Information
Ralph TingeyAssociate Regional Director for Resources and Operations
National Park Service
Alaska Regional Office
240 W. 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501