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Federal climbing policy comments needed by 3/9-HURRY!!!


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Excerpted from the AAC Newsletter. It is very late! Comment NOW!!!!

Thanks,

jim

 

The American Alpine Club E-News

March 2001

Dear Members,

Several policy issues affecting climbing are up for consideration over the

next month, ranging from a rescue cost recovery study and backcountry

management scoping document at Denali National Park and Preserve to a

draft backcountry management plan at Rocky Mountain National Park. The

AAC is actively involved in all three of these issues and has been working

collaboratively with Park managers to ensure that the interests of

climbers are taken into consideration as management plans are developed.

However, comments from individual members throughout the country will be

influential in reaching final decisions. Please note the Denali Rescue

Cost Recovery Study

comment period ends this Friday, March 9.

Below you will find synopsis of each policy issue and the position of the

AAC. Please forward this issue of the E-News to any climbers who may be

interested in commenting. Non-members may subscribe to the E-News on our

website http://www.americanalpineclub.org.

Denali Rescue Cost Recovery Study

As a result of legislation passed by Congress at the urging of Alaska Sen.

Frank Murkowski, Denali National Park and Preserve is investigating three

primary issues: 1) whether it is feasible to charge mountaineers for

rescues on Mt. McKinley, 2) whether it is feasible to require climbers to

show proof of medical insurance before being issued a climbing permit, and

3) whether any adjustments need to be made to the fee structure for

mountaineering permits. The Park has expanded on issue #2 by exploring

whether it would be feasible to encourage or to require McKinley climbers

to have rescue insurance before being issued a climbing permit.

AAC Executive Director Charley Shimanski, a long-time mountain rescue

official, is serving as one of four individuals on the core group

evaluating the Park's response to these issues, so the AAC's voice is well

represented on this study. The AAC is still finalizing comments on these

issues, but our primary points are:

· The AAC historically has opposed charging for rescues, because it delays

the initial call for help, making rescues more complex and increasing the

risk to subjects and rescuers. Charging for rescues also is bad public

policy for land managers, because it will increase legal liability and

establish a "duty to rescue" anyone who asks. The concept also runs

counter to the National Search and Rescue Plan of which the Department of

Interior is a signatory, which specifically prohibits agencies from

seeking repayment of rescue costs. The AAC long has opposed singling out

climbers to pay an advance rescue fee when other park visitors are not

asked to bear financial responsibility for their rescues.

· The AAC has seen no information showing climbers to be less insured than

other park visitors, so forcing climbers alone to demonstrate proof of

medical insurance would be discriminatory. There are many instances in

which climbers have gone out of their way to pay for hospital care.

Further, since the costs of any indigent medical care - whether from

climbers or the general public - are not borne by the National Park

Service, we question the relevance of this issue to the NPS.

· While the AAC provides rescue insurance to all members for peaks up to

6000 meters and makes available supplemental insurance for higher peaks,

there are logistical issues that must be considered if rescue insurance is

mandated. We have expressed our willingness to work with the Park in

exploring these issues.

· The AAC believes it is inappropriate for climbers to pay rescue fees for

the same reason we oppose charging for rescues. Further, we hope to

review all aspects of the mountaineering program to determine whether the

current $150 per person fee is fully justified and to see whether some

services currently being provided can be reduced or eliminated to lessen

program costs.

Climbers have until March 9 to comment on the study. Concerns should be

sent by email to: mailto:mike_gauthier@nps.gov, or by regular mail to:

Denali National Park and Preserve

Attn: Mike Gauthier

PO Box 588

Talkeetna AK 99676

(For a more complete assessment of the rescue cost recovery issue on Mt.

McKinley, please visit the AAC's website at http://www.americanalpineclub.org/rescue.htm.)

 

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