The National Park Service (NPS) is considering a land exchange in the Port Alsworth area of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (LACL), T. 1 N., R. 29 W., Seward Meridian, with Tanalian, Incorporated, a Native Group pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The NPS proposes to exchange two approximately 15-acre subsurface parcels of land in Sections 9 and 16 for one 16-acre surface parcel of land on Hardenburg Bay in Section 3. Pending land appraisals, a cash payment and/or an adjustment of the size of the subsurface parcels would be made to equalize the value of the exchange. The NPS wishes to acquire the surface property on Hardenburg Bay to further Congressional intent in Section 202(7) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and goals in the park's general management plan to protect the watershed and habitat for fisheries resources of the Bristol Bay area. Tanalian, Inc. desires the land exchange to obtain rights to subsurface sand and gravel for maintenance and construction of community facilities, such as roads and landing sites, and for the location of a solid waste disposal site.
The EA was completed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.9). The comment period for the EA will extend 45 days, beginning October 15, 2009 and ending November 30, 2009.
Pursuant to the Land Water Conservation Fund Act, 16 USC 460l-22(b), upon request of the State, the Lake and Peninsula Borough, or a party of interest, the National Park Service will hold a public hearing about this exchange.
Contact Information
Please send requests and/or questions to: Bud Rice, Environmental Protection Specialist, at (907) 644-3530 or email him at bud_rice@nps.gov or write to: National Park Service, Attn: Bud Rice, 240 W. 5th Ave., Rm. 114, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.