Mount McKinley National Park, by the addition of an area containing approximately two million four hundred and twenty-six thousand acres of public land, and approximately one million three hundred and thirty thousand acres of additional public land is hereby established as Denali National Preserve, both as generally depicted on map numbered DENA–90,007, and dated July 1980 and the whole is hereby redesignated as Denali National Park and Preserve. The park additions and preserve shall be managed for the following purposes, among others: To protect and interpret the entire mountain massif, and additional scenic mountain peaks and formations; and to protect habitat for, and populations of fish and wildlife including, but not limited to, brown/grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, swans and other waterfowl; and to provide continued opportunities, including reasonable access, for mountain climbing, mountaineering and other wilderness recreational activities. Subsistence uses by local residents shall be permitted in the additions to the park where such uses are traditional in accordance with the provisions in subchapter II of chapter 51 of this title.

The Alaska Land Use Council shall, in cooperation with the Secretary, conduct a study of the Kantishna Hills and Dunkle Mine areas of the park as generally depicted on a map entitled “Kantishna Hills/Dunkle Mine Study Area” dated October 1979, and report thereon to the Congress not later than three years from December 2, 1980. The study and report shall evaluate the resources of the area, including but not limited to, fish and wildlife, public recreation opportunities, wilderness potential, historic resources, and minerals, and shall include those recommendations respecting resources and other relevant matters which the Council determines are necessary. In conjunction with the study required by this section, the Council, in consultation with the Secretary, shall compile information relating to the mineral potential of the areas encompassed within the study, the estimated cost of acquiring mining properties, and the environmental consequences of further mineral development.

During the period of the study, no acquisition of privately owned land shall be permitted within the study area, except with the consent of the owner, and the holders of valid mining claims shall be permitted to operate on their claims, subject to reasonable regulations designed to minimize damage to the environment: Provided, however, That such lands or claims shall be subject to acquisition without the consent of the owner or holder if the Secretary determines, after notice and opportunity for hearing, if such notice and hearing are not otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, that activities on such lands or claims will significantly impair important scenic, wildlife, or recreational values of the public lands which are the subject of the study.