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Open House Meeting April 26 features ideas for new facilities at the Mendenhall Glacier JUNEAU, Alaska, April 11, 2018 –
The Forest Service is hosting an open house meeting April 26, 2018, between 4–7 p.m. at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (MGVC). The meeting will share the work for proposed new facilities around the visitor center
and within the larger recreation area. Sketches, maps and illustrations will be available to enhance discussion. After multiple public meetings and workshops, these proposed facilities respond to current and expected needs and demands over the next ten to twenty years for all visitors. Public input will assist the team
in refining the planning and design of these facilities before consideration for environmental review.
Forest Service officials are working with Corvus Design to create a Facility Master Plan for the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area and Visitor Center. The plan is intended
to create a vision that matches increasing demand with changing landscapes, updating infrastructure to meet those challenges, according to Alaska Region Recreation Director James King. Planning started in September of 2016 and will continue toward a decision in late 2018. The last public meeting was in August of 2017, when experts helped guided a discussion
about the transit system, trails, viewing platforms, buildings, and more. As the glacier continues to recede from the visitor center, discussions focus on how to respond.
The MGVC accommodates more than a half-million visitors annually, meeting demands for basic amenities, inspirational views, engaging displays and memorable wildlife watching.
Recently, the cruise industry announced 19% more visitors arriving by ship in 2019, for an approximate total of 1.3 million passengers, half of which will want to see the glacier. Working with the community and partners will help create sustainable solutions
to meet the increased demand while also accounting for the needs of residents. Corvus Design’s website
www.mgra-mgvc.us contains valuable information from past meetings and updates.
For more information, contact John Neary at 907-789-6637, or
jneary@xxxxxxxxx. Follow on the web page at
www.mendenhallglacier.net
and Facebook at MendenhallGlacierVC. For interviews and information to be used for publication, contact the Tongass Public Affairs Officer at 907-228-6201. -end- This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately. To manage your subscription visit http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription.shtml |
