A new power line is proposed through a historic Delta park

A local utility wants to run a new power line through Big Delta State Historical Park.

Golden Valley Electric Association has applied to build a small distribution line — 240 feet long and 30 feet wide — across the park to reach the neighboring Whitestone boat launch. The park sits on the banks of the Tanana River north of Delta Junction, home to the historic Rika's Landing, which is part of why a new line through it gets a public review rather than a routine sign-off.

It wouldn't be the first power infrastructure there. Just last year the state formalized a separate easement for GVEA lines that have quietly served the park since around 1960 — the state parks division didn't object, so long as it gets advance notice before any outages, clearing, or maintenance that could affect the grounds. The same balance is in play now: getting power where it's needed while protecting a site kept precisely because of its history.

Comments go to DNR's Northern Regional Land Office in Fairbanks by 5 p.m. July 31.