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NEWS
RELEASE
March 27, 2002
Washington, D.C. - The National Park
Trust (NPT) and the National Park
Service (NPS) announce the transfer
of the deed to the Chittitu Mine in
Wrangell St. Elias National Park and
Preserve, a 907-acre inholding
strategically located in the heart
of the park.
"NPT
was asked to help with the
negotiations. This was a 'must'
purchase for the park and we were
pleased to have been part of the
process," said Paul Pritchard,
President of NPT. "Both the NPS and
the owner were committed to the
protection of the park. It makes
all the difference in the world when
you have a willing seller. NPT was
asked to help keep the negotiations
moving. The problems were more of a
nature of misunderstandings than
differences."
In
addition to helping bring the
negotiations to mutual agreement,
NPT was called upon to help search
for the missing patent at the
National Archives. The patent was
essential for the acquisition to be
completed.
"NPT
was there for us when we needed
help," said Diane Wohlwend of NPS.
Mined
continuously from 1902 through the
early 1950's, Chittitu Creek was the
largest gold producer in the Nizina
District. It remains an important
cultural resource, with numerous
historic buildings and structures.
Based on its local and regional
significance and the quantity and
condition of its artifacts, the
Chittitu Creek drainage is
considered eligible for inclusion on
the National Register of Historic
Places. Historical photos show
miners at the tents, the impact on
the terrain from mining, and some of
the mining procedures.
"We
appreciate the work of the National
Park Trust in bringing this
acquisition to completion," said
Gary Candelaria, Superintendent of
the park. "NPT got this moving when
negotiations had reached an impasse,
and helped both the NPS and the
owner stay focused."
The
National Park Trust is the only
private land conservancy dedicated
exclusively to America's parklands,
saving nationally significant
wildlife, scenic wonders, and
historic monuments.
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For more information contact:
National Park Trust (NPT)
(202) 548-0500
npt@parktrust.org
http://www.parktrust.org
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