Sponsor Statement for SJR 25

"Support Access to Denali/Wonder Lake"

SJR 25 calls for the Alaska Legislature's endorsement of a proposed northern access railroad route into Denali National Park. A new northern railroad route, connecting the Alaska Railroad with Wonder Lake, would not only provide enhanced viewing opportunities for Alaskans, but for visitors to the state as well. This could serve to bolster tourism in Alaska, since the Park, the Mountain and all of the surrounding wild beauty would be accessible on a year-round basis, instead of just the summer months. In addition to improving access into the Park, this proposal would enable the state to encourage and monitor development opportunities involving the private sector, without substantially affecting the state's financial resources.

This proposed northern access route is supported by the National Park Service Advisory Board along with many of the organizations and communities along the existing Alaska Railroad corridor, including but not limited to the Municipality of Anchorage, Fairbanks North Star Borough, the City of North Pole, the City of Nenana, the City of Seward, and the Mantanuska-Susitna Borough.