Land Use Planning

When Alaska became a state in 1959, it was granted over 100 million acres of land. The citizens of Alaska became the owners of an area the size of the state of California. At statehood, the Alaska Legislature charged the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with the complex job of managing the state-owned lands for the "maximum public benefit." The range of possibilities for how state land could be used is vast.

Within the DNR, the Resource Assessment & Development Section of the Division of Mining, Land and Water has primary responsibility for land use planning. Planning is a way of sorting through the possibilities for using state land and choosing those with the greatest benefits for all Alaskans. Most importantly, planning is a way of making these decisions not only for the public, but with them. The planning process provides a link between the citizens and the agencies charged with managing their land. There are statutory requirements for planning as well. AS 38.04.065 requires that state land be classified through a planning process prior to a sale or lease (excluding oil and gas lease sales and staking of mining claims).

Developing plans for state land is not easy because people have differing ideas of how state land can best be used. Also, not all desired uses of state land can occur compatibly in the same place at the same time. Through resource planning, DNR works with the public to determine where the important resources are and how the land can be used for the maximum public benefit. In the planning process all resources are considered and evaluated. Wherever possible, guidelines are established that allow for multiple use. Where irreconcilable conflicts exist, alternatives are developed and evaluated.

Area Plans

• Usually covers large areas (one planning area encompassed 19 million acres of state owned land), but are also developed for areas of 250,000 acres;
• Establish goals, policies, management intent, and guidelines for the use of state land;
• Allocate the use of state land through plan designations;
• Include recommendations to retain or sell land, open or close areas to mineral entry, establish selection priorities or special land use designations, recommend legislative designations, and;
• Take 3 to 5 years to prepare.

Management Plans

• Provide more detailed guidance for special areas (like recreation river corridors) or for a specific resource (like forestry), and;
• Take 2 to 5 years to complete.

This planning effort, initiated in 2024, is a new plan. When adopted, this area plan will serve as the basis for management of 4.5 million acres of state-owned and state-selected lands. The planning area includes the communities of Fort Yukon, Venetie, Arctic Village, Circle, Central, Beaver, Chalkyitsik, Coldfoot, Stevens Village, and Wiseman.

This planning effort, initiated in 2016 will revise the current 1986 plan. This plan covers approximately 3.3 million acres of state land in the Copper River Basin, including Glennallen, McCarthy, Copper Center and Kenny Lake.

The process is underway to develop a management plan focused on travel on State lands within the Fortymile River region. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is preparing the plan to sort through concerns and expectations users and stakeholders have for the Fortymile River and trail corridors within this unique area. Scoping to gather public input and information on the area occurred in September and October 2022. A summary of the information received during the scoping period can be found at the project website at the link above. Currently the planning team is preparing the draft plan that will be available for public review in spring 2023.

The process to revise the 1991 management plan is underway. The six designated recreation rivers that are included in the plan include Alexander Creek, Deshka River (Kroto Creek / Moose Creek), Lake Creek, Little Susitna River, Talachulitna River and Talkeetna River.

Many of the plans for state land are over ten-years old and need revision to address such issues as changing economies, new public use patterns, development proposals and selection of lands by newly created municipalities. Planning projects under consideration include the revision of the Prince William Sound Area Plan.

Step 1 - Identify Issues
Hold public meetings to identify issues and concerns in the planning area.

Step 2 - Gather Information
Throughout the planning process collect information about natural resources, present and past land use, land ownership, and the local economy.

Step 3 - Prepare and Evaluate Land Use Alternatives
Describe possible choices for managing state land based on public interests, local resources, and state policies. Describe the effects of each choice on goals for the management of an area.

Step 4 - Prepare Draft Plan
Create a draft plan that reflects resource values and public and agency goals. The agencies review the first draft and settle any land use conflicts that remain, or propose the best alternatives for public review.

STEP 5 - Public Review of Draft Plan
Hold public meetings to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the draft plan and to identify parts that need to be changed.

Step 6 - Prepare Final Plan
Review agency and public comments and revise the plan. Prepare the plan for publication.

Step 7 - Approve Plan
The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources approves and signs the plan.

Step 8 - Implement Plan
The plan guides management decisions for state lands in the planning area.

Almost all the plans listed above can be viewed using the links in this web site.

Plans in print can also be purchased at the DNR Public Information Center.

State Critical Habitat Area, Refuge & Sanctuary plans: The Department of Fish and Game prepares land use plans for these areas, in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources. Planning processes for the McNeil River State Game Refuge and Sanctuary as well as the Izembek State Game Refuge are currently underway.

Department of Natural Resources
Division of Mining, Land & Water
Resource Assessment & Development Section
550 West 7th Ave, Ste 1050
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 269-8534
Fax: (907) 269-8915