Comment from Peter Berman
Peter BermanOpposeIndividual
Summary: A long-time resident of Denali opposes the proposed vehicle use changes, arguing that the current road restrictions are necessary to protect wildlife and ensure visitor safety. The commenter contends that allowing more vehicle access would lead to dangerous traffic conditions, wildlife harassment, and increased risks of bear encounters.
I have been a resident off and on in Denali for over thirty years. I was shocked to see this proposal. Never have I seen such a misguided “improvement” in my life. Let me tell you why:
1) There is a Huge difference in aesthetic value in seeing an animal with no traffic jam involved.
2) Polychrome Pass and the Eilson Bluffs section of the road are extremely dangerous and difficult to drive even for seasoned professionals.
3) There is wildlife to view BECAUSE of the road restriction. If people are allowed to drive the restricted section of road wildlife will flee. There are approximately sixty tour buses that access the road each day carrying thousands of people who enjoy view sheds devoid of traffic and filled with wildlife now.
4) It only takes one person in one car to throw a bear a sandwich and that bear connects people with food. Then that bear demands food and is killed. Simple as that.
Have we not learned ANYTHING from viewing other parks complete with traffic jams and circus like crowds at begging or harassed wildlife sightings? Apparently not.
This is a completely inane proposal and let me be there the first time a family goes over the side of Polychrome to their deaths or a bear mauls a hiker because it’s been fed by a guy in a Winnebago. Fantastic.
Idiocy plain and simple. Proposed I’m sure by people who haven’t a clue as to what a well-run, exquisite park we have now. Everyone I’ve talked to about this proposal is utterly disgusted about it.