Re: Release of the Public Review Draft of the Petersville Recreational Mining Area Management Plan and Public Comment Period

Dear Alaskan,

The Mining Section of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the Public Review Draft (PRD) of the Petersville Recreational Mining Area Management Plan (PRMAP) for public review and comment, which is required for this legislatively designated area by Alaska Statute 41.23.630. The plan provides guidance about the methods of mining and equipment permitted in the PRMA, stipulations for the protection of habitat and other restrictions relevant to recreational use of the area, consistent with uses that are generally allowed under 11 AAC 96.020 -.025.

DNR intends to adopt the PRMAP and once adopted, this plan will serve as the basis for the management of state land and waters within the recreational area for the next 15 to 20 years or until revised. The plan does not include a Land Classification Order because the PRMA was classified for “minerals” within the 2011 Susitna Matanuska Area Plan (LCO SC-09-002). The plan does not require a Mineral Closing Order because the area was closed to mineral entry through Alaska Statute 41.23.630 upon inception in 1997. No new areas are closed to mineral entry in this management plan. A copy of the PRMAP, including the plan map, can be found on the Mining Resources Section webpage: http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/.

The PRMA is located several miles north of Petersville, Alaska and consists of one unit that contains approximately 274acres that include 17 closed federal mining claims. The PRMA, as defined in state legislation in 2014, is depicted on the plan map. The size of the PRMA was reduced via legislation signed by Governor Sean Parnell (HB 135) on June 18, 2014. The original 1997 legislation included two separate areas, consisting of approximately 487 acres of land that included the state land and water acquired that lie within 27 closed federal mining claims. The northern unit is 274 acres in size and contains 17 of the claims. The southern unit was 213 acres in size and contained 10 claims. The state legislature removed the southern unit from the PRMA in 2014 (see HB 135).

This plan will not affect borough, federal, Mental Health Trust, Municipal, University, Native, private, or other non-state lands and will not affect oil and gas lease sales or gas only lease sales.

The State would like your input on the PRMAP Public Review Draft. Your written comments are encouraged during this public comment period and must be submitted, in writing, on or before October 31^st, 2014 by mail, email, or fax using the contact information below. Comments may also be hand delivered until 5:00 PM, AST, October 31^st, 2014 to the address below. To review and download and electronic version of the PRD, including the plan map please visit our webpage at: http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/. For additional information contact:

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aides, services, or special modifications to submit a comment should contact the person indicated above or contact the state TDD number (907)269-8411 at least seven days (7) before the comment deadline to arrange accommodations.