• Dave Brown, Wrangell
• Senator Cathy Giessel, Anchorage
• Teresa Hanson, Fairbanks
• Alice Smith, Juneau
• Representative Ashley Carrick, Fairbanks
• William Koehler, Delta
• Charlie Lean, Nome
• Susan Smith, Chokosna
• Nathan Turner, Nenana
• Frank Woods, Dillingham
• Randall Zarnke, Fairbanks
• Angela Ludwick, Fairbanks

History

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The Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Areas (CACFA) was established in 1981, one year after Congress passed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), to help Alaskans navigate the law's complex federal land management mandates. For nearly two decades, CACFA provided a critical forum for public engagement and assistance in resolving conflicts involving access, regulations, and federal land use across more than 200 million acres of federal land in Alaska. After state funding ended in 1999, the Commission went dormant. The Alaska Legislature brought back CACFA from 2007 to 2016 where it effectively helped citizens with red tape for another decade until late in 2016 when funding was again stopped, forcing a hiatus. Although funding was cut, important issues were wrapped up during this time by diligent Alaskans who recognized the importance of this office, primarily the 2017 Alaska State Lands Advisory Group (ASLAG) report. Once again, the Alaska Legislature reaffirmed CACFA's value through reauthorization in 2024, ensuring continued citizen representation in federal land management processes.

Mission

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CACFA's mission is to ensure that federal land management decisions in Alaska uphold congressional intent, comply with federal law, respect valid existing rights, and support the economic, social, cultural, and traditional uses that ANILCA and other federal statutes promise to Alaskans. As an independent citizen commission, CACFA provides a statewide forum where individuals, communities, businesses, tribes, and organizations can raise concerns and work toward resolving federal actions affecting access, recreation, transportation, development, and traditional (pre-ANILCA) public uses. The Commission helps Alaskans navigate permit requirements and works directly with federal agencies to ensure the public is involved in federal decision making.

Responsibilities

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Under Alaska Statute 41.37.220, CACFA is responsible for reviewing federal land management decisions, researching their impacts, and holding public hearings to evaluate whether federal actions align with congressional intent and applicable law. The Commission examines management plans, regulatory proposals, operational decisions, and additions or changes to conservation system units, focusing on how these actions affect access, development, and traditional uses. CACFA incorporates public testimony, advisory group input, subject matter expertise, and community perspectives to develop informed recommendations to state and federal agencies. The Commission also establishes internal procedures to guide its work and reports annually to the Governor and Legislature on emerging federal issues affecting Alaskans.

Commmision Structure

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CACFA is a balanced and independent body made up of twelve volunteer commissioners who represent the broad diversity of federal land users across Alaska. The Governor appoints six citizen members who serve four year terms, while the Speaker of the House and the Senate President each appoint three members who serve two year terms, ensuring statewide representation and continuity across changing political environments.