Project Links
2024 Changes to WRST Superintendent's Compendium
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve » 2024 Changes to WRST Superintendent's Compendium » Document List
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is seeking comment on proposed changes to the Superintendent's Compendium for 2024 (see Document List for a PDF of the proposed changes). A compendium is a written compilation of designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions adopted under the Superintendent's discretionary authority.
A public comment period regarding proposed changes to the compendium will be open from February 26, 2024 - March 26, 2024.
After review and consideration of the need for annual updates, the following changes are proposed for 2024:
13.1902(b) Subsistence resident zone boundaries.
The external boundaries of the Wrangell-St. Elias Resident Zone along the Glenn and Richardson Highways are described as follows:
· The western boundary of Glennallen along the Glenn Highway is Tolsona Creek, which crosses the highway at approximately Mile 173.
· The southern boundary of Tonsina is the Little Tonsina River, which crosses the Richardson Highway at approximately Mile 65.
· The northern boundary of Gakona/Gakona Junction is Mile 138 on the Richardson Highway.
The NPS is adding language to the compendium that would define the external boundaries of the resident zones for subsistence purposes.
The purpose of this proposed compendium entry is to clarify the external boundaries of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Resident Zone in three locations. The resident zone is used to establish eligibility to harvest subsistence resources in the National Park under federal regulations. Clarifying the boundaries in these three locations in writing will improve transparency regarding eligibility for both the public and park staff issuing permits.
This proposed compendium entry would clarify the northern boundary of Gakona on the Richardson Highway, the southern boundary of Tonsina on the Richardson Highway, and the western boundary of Glennallen on the Glenn Highway. The proposed basis of the boundaries is the Census Designated Place Boundaries used by the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 Census. 36 CFR 13.1902(b), although the recommendation for the Compendium is to identify a specific geographic feature, highway mile marker, or both. (Mile markers were identified by comparing the CDP maps from Alaska Department of Labor with the Alaska Department of Transportation mile markers on the 511 website.)
· The western boundary of Glennallen along the Glenn Highway would be Tolsona Creek, which crosses the highway at approximately Mile 173. (The 2020 CDP map can be seen in the links section)
· The southern boundary of Tonsina would be the Little Tonsina River, which crosses the Richardson Highway at approximately Mile 65. (The 2020 CDP map can be seen in the links section)
· The northern boundary of Gakona/Gakona Junction would be Mile 138 on the Richardson. (The 2020 CDP map can be seen in the links section) There isn't a good geographic feature at this location, although it appears that it might be a section line.
Public Affairs Officer
907-822-7255
A public comment period regarding proposed changes to the compendium will be open from February 26, 2024 - March 26, 2024.
After review and consideration of the need for annual updates, the following changes are proposed for 2024:
13.1902(b) Subsistence resident zone boundaries.
The external boundaries of the Wrangell-St. Elias Resident Zone along the Glenn and Richardson Highways are described as follows:
· The western boundary of Glennallen along the Glenn Highway is Tolsona Creek, which crosses the highway at approximately Mile 173.
· The southern boundary of Tonsina is the Little Tonsina River, which crosses the Richardson Highway at approximately Mile 65.
· The northern boundary of Gakona/Gakona Junction is Mile 138 on the Richardson Highway.
The NPS is adding language to the compendium that would define the external boundaries of the resident zones for subsistence purposes.
The purpose of this proposed compendium entry is to clarify the external boundaries of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Resident Zone in three locations. The resident zone is used to establish eligibility to harvest subsistence resources in the National Park under federal regulations. Clarifying the boundaries in these three locations in writing will improve transparency regarding eligibility for both the public and park staff issuing permits.
This proposed compendium entry would clarify the northern boundary of Gakona on the Richardson Highway, the southern boundary of Tonsina on the Richardson Highway, and the western boundary of Glennallen on the Glenn Highway. The proposed basis of the boundaries is the Census Designated Place Boundaries used by the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 Census. 36 CFR 13.1902(b), although the recommendation for the Compendium is to identify a specific geographic feature, highway mile marker, or both. (Mile markers were identified by comparing the CDP maps from Alaska Department of Labor with the Alaska Department of Transportation mile markers on the 511 website.)
· The western boundary of Glennallen along the Glenn Highway would be Tolsona Creek, which crosses the highway at approximately Mile 173. (The 2020 CDP map can be seen in the links section)
· The southern boundary of Tonsina would be the Little Tonsina River, which crosses the Richardson Highway at approximately Mile 65. (The 2020 CDP map can be seen in the links section)
· The northern boundary of Gakona/Gakona Junction would be Mile 138 on the Richardson. (The 2020 CDP map can be seen in the links section) There isn't a good geographic feature at this location, although it appears that it might be a section line.
Contact Information
Carrie WittmerPublic Affairs Officer
907-822-7255