Rescue Cost Analysis

RESCUE COST ANALYSIS

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the executive summary and recommendations of the following August 2001 Report to Congress titled: "Analysis of Cost Recovery for High-altitude Rescues on Mt. McKinley, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska" be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY-ANALYSIS OF COST RECOVERY FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE RESCUES ON MT. MCKINLEY, DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, ALASKA, AUGUST, 2001
INTRODUCTION

The following report addresses the requirements of Public Law 106-486 enacted November 9, 2000, directing the National Park Service to complete a mountain climber rescue cost recovery study by August 9, 2001. This report describes the role of the National Park Service and Denali National Park and Preserve (DNP&P) in search and rescue activities and analyzes the suitability and feasibility of recovering the costs of high-altitude rescues on Mt. McKinley. It addresses the three items required in the legislation.

(1) Recovering the costs of rescues on Mt. McKinley.
(2) Requiring climbers to provide proof of medical insurance before the issuance of a climbing permit.
(3) Charging for a climbing permit and changing the fee structure. This report was prepared with existing funds.

A variety of organizations and individuals were involved in the development of this report. They included: the National Park Service, Alaska Regional Office and Washington Office; American Alpine Club; 210th Alaska Air National Guard; U.S. Army at Fort Wainwright; Mountain Guide Concessionaires; Access Fund; Alaska Mountain Rescue Association; Alaska State SAR Coordinator; Providence, Valley, and Alaska Regional Hospitals; Mountain Rescue Association; and the Alaska Mountaineering Club.

RECOMMENDATIONS
After a thorough analysis of the suitability and feasibility of cost recovery, this report recommends the following:

Part One: The Suitability and Feasibility of Rescue Cost Recovery

1. Based on the relationship of DNP&P to the national program for National Park Service search and rescue, the relationship to the practices of other agencies, the practices of the military, and the practices of the State of Alaska, the Park Service recommends that the current policy of not charging for search and rescue be continued. If the other federal agencies and the military develop a policy for the collection of search and rescue costs from participants in high risk activities, the National Park Service should also participate. This would best be done through the passage of legislation that applies to all federal agencies and branches of the military that currently rescue members of the public in need.

2. To reduce National Park Service costs related to evacuation of injured climbers, the park will work with Providence Hospital in Anchorage regarding additional operation by the hospital of its Lifeguard helicopter to transport injured climbers from the 7,200-foot base camp on Mt. McKinley. Like most ambulance services, the hospital bills the patient directly for the service. This would reduce the use of military and NPS helicopters for a service that can be provided by a private entity.
Part Two: Suitability and Feasibility of Requiring Proof of Medical Insurance

1. The review of incidents shows no information indicating a problem of any magnitude. DNP&P, therefore, recommends not requiring proof of medical insurance at this time. DNP&P will continue to monitor with the hospitals and work with insurance companies to determine if a need exists in the future to require proof of insurance. If proof of medical insurance were to be made a new requirement, it would be best to set the precedent consistent across agencies and different types of high-risk activities.

2. DNP&P will encourage climbers to carry medical insurance and will provide information with registration packets and pre-climb briefings about access to providers specializing in climbing insurance.
Part Three: Climber Registration Fee Review

1. In order to help recover costs for the human waste management studies, an additional $50.00 fee should be added
to the current $150.00 climber registration fee. The total fee for climbing Mt. McKinley or Mt. Foraker would then be $200.00.

2. Currently, only climbers of Mt. McKinley and Mt. Foraker are required to register. Initiate required registration for all other climbers in DNP&P. This would help ensure all climbers receive safety and waste management information.