Deadline near for Sun Road comments

People have until Friday to comment on possible management plans for the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor in Glacier National Park.

The park released five preliminary alternatives May 1, each describing a general strategy for managing congestion and pressure on park resources along the increasingly popular road corridor. 

Last year the park set a visitation record with 2.3 million people entering the park. The 2014 season also set monthly records during the busy summer, with 675,119 visitors in August and 699,650 visitors in July.

This is the first time the park has rolled out a set of possible strategies for long-term management of the corridor since initiating the planning process in 2013. 

As of Friday, approximately 140 comments had been submitted.

Park officials expect to release draft alternatives and the park’s preferred alternative this fall, followed by another public comment period.

The preliminary alternatives include:

• No change in management, with actions handled on a project-by-project basis rather than as part of an integrated strategy.

• Building additional parking and infrastructure while maintaining the shuttle service and improving trails by paving and adding handrails.

• Increasing the number of shuttles and limiting vehicle entry, while adding day-hiking permits for popular trails and more biking opportunities, including bike trails and bike-only days on the road and.

• Discontinuing the shuttle service, focusing on vehicle limitations through a timed entry or reservation system during the peak season and increasing bicycling opportunities.

• An “adaptive response” strategy that offers the most flexibility to park managers to develop plans based on a range of possible future scenarios.

To view the complete preliminary alternatives or to submit comments, go to parkplanning.nps.gov/glac.

Comments can also be mailed to: Glacier National Park, Attn: GTSR Corridor Plan, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, MT, 59936.

Reporter Samuel Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email swilson@dailyinterlake.com