I am deeply concerned as to the condition of the McCarthy Road. I believe that many Alaskans have for some time been equally concerned over the ponderous and intractable pace that has plagued access improvements to this area. When Governor William A. Egan dedicated the new highway bridge at Chitina in 1971 the bridge was to be the beginning of convenient vehicle access to an area of immense scenic beauty. Since then public access has been unfairly restricted to something all Americans could enjoy. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve encompasses 13.5 million acres, a fourth again larger than the entire nation of Switzerland.

Less than 100 miles of very poor road now allow limited access. Governor Egan and the State Legislature said the road should assist in providing the State of Alaska with much needed economic diversification.

Alaska’s Senator Frank Murkowski addressed the Alaska Legislature four years ago regarding his belief that their first appropriation priority should be to improve access to the Wrangell/St. Elias Mountain area. He recently wrote the following to a local road advocate group in McCarthy: “I was delighted to receive your letter concerning access to the WrangellSt. Elias National Park and Preserve, and more specifically, improvements to the McCarthy Road. As you are no doubt aware, I have been an advocate of increased access to both Denali National Park and Preserve and more recently, to WrangellSt. Elias National Park and Preserve. It is very good to know that your group exists and that we share a common goal. I will be more than pleased to work with you in any way I can in addressing these issues at WrangellSt. Elias National Park and Preserve and to, hopefully, finally resolve these matters.”

McCarthy Road enhancement has successfully been blocked by those supporting endless and meaningless studies designed only to delay.

I believe that sixtyone years of review including positive votes by both the Legislature and the people of Alaska constitutes more that a thorough consideration of any ramification connected with improving this road.