The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a preliminary decision of a non-competitive land sale to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) under a “public and charitable use clause.” This land sale would transfer 19,950 acres of publicly accessible land located approximately 2 miles north of Houston, AK. This land is currently used for bear, moose, and small game hunting by hunters from Wasilla, Palmer, Anchorage, and other nearby towns in the greater Mat-Su Borough, and is important to hunters and anglers in the area because of its proximity to town.

 

 

 

Under the public and charitable use clause, transferred land must be demonstrated to serve a public benefit. Historically, this provision has been used for relatively small conveyances to entities such as churches, community centers, and other public-serving organizations, not for large-scale industrial development. In this case, DNR appears to be relying on AIDEA’s statutory mandate to operate in the public interest as the basis for applying the clause to nearly 20,000 acres of land for potential industrial development. 

 

If the transfer is finalized, the land would be designated for industrial development or “settlement.” Potential uses include a data center, a logistics hub to support the railroad, a gravel pit, and warehouses. However, AIDEA does not yet have defined project scopes, revenue projections, or estimates for job creation. Alaskans are therefore being asked to transfer nearly 20,000 acres of public land out of public ownership to facilitate potential development without a clear plan demonstrating how that development will benefit the public. 

Approximately 15,000 acres of the proposed transfer are currently designated as wetland, forestry, or aquatic resources. Usually, a requirement of a public and charitable use transfer would require the DNR to create a mechanism for them to periodically check in on the land that was transferred to confirm it was being used and developed for the public interest, causing no harm to the natural resources of the state, and that any new development was not a net negative to the Alaskan public. DNR has waived that oversight requirement for this transfer, raising additional questions about how the public interest and natural resources will be protected once the land is transferred. 

Not everyone has the means or time to drive multiple hours or take 10 days off to moose hunt. Areas like this, on the immediate outskirts of population centers, are vital for most local hunters who can only get out in the field on weekends. 

AIDEA is asking the Alaskan public to give up our public lands for a potential industrial park that has not had any bids, has not been planned or priced out, and will eliminate public hunting opportunities. The Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers opposes this land transfer because it would immediately reduce public access and opportunities to wild places, with no clear plan for how it will benefit the average Alaskan.  

 

The DNR has opened the required comment period, which closes Thursday, August 19th, at 5:00 PM AKST.  

Only organizations or individuals that submit a comment during the open public comment period may submit a comment requesting reconsideration of the final proposal once it is made. Your comment now secures your right to have your voice heard later in the process.  

 

Submit your comments HERE