By Danny Rosenkrans
The National Park Service (NPS) Alaska Regional Director, Marcia Blaszak, and private landowners Susan and Jack Smith, signed an Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) 1110(b) Right-of-Way Certificate of Access (RWCA) on April 23, 2008. The Smiths live at Chokosna and access their property along a 1.6 mile long drive within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The RWCA documents their established and maintainable access to their residence. This is the first RWCA to be authorized by the NPS Alaska Regional Director.
There are many landowners that use parklands to gain access to their property within Wrangell-St. Elias. The NPS anticipates that potentially 30 or more RWCAs may be granted in the near future. During 2007 the NPS prepared a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for Established and Maintainable Access Facilities across parklands within Wrangell-St. Elias. That EA allows the Service to begin issuing ANILCA 1110(b) RWCAs. The NPS began contacting landowners during March. Landowners who submit an application for established and maintainable access facilities to their private property will be issued a RWCA signed by the Regional Director. Access to inholdings is one of many challenges the NPS has faced since the passage of ANILCA in December 1980. This first RWCA signing reflects the NPS and inholder communty's commitment to move forward and assure adequate and feasible access. Landowners are encouraged to contact Danny Rosenkrans, at Wrangell St Elias NP/P (907)822-7240, for further information and help with access certificate processing.
Photo courtesy NPS
First ANILCA 1110(b) Right-of-Way Certificate of Access signing.
Seated left to right: Meg Jensen, Superintendent; Marcia Blaszak, Regional Director; Susan and Jack Smith, landowners.
Standing left to right: Lynn Grams, National Parks and Conservation Association representative; Hans Neideg, Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior for Alaska; Danny Rosenkrans, Land Manager.
