NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
LAS 33958
DIVISION OF FORESTRY
Subject to AS 38.05.850, the Southcentral Regional Land Office has received an application for the following:
APPLICANT: DIVISION OF FORESTRY
PROJECT NAME: LAS 33958
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: North of the City of Houston and Meadow Lakes area, north of the Little Susitna River, extending approximately 6.2 miles eastward from Zero Lake in the Matanuska Susitna Borough.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
Sections 9, 10, 16-18 of Township 018 North, Range 002 West, Seward Meridian
Sections 13-15 of Township 018 North, Range 003 West, Seward Meridian
REQUESTED ACTIVITY: The Division of Forestry, Mat-Su/Southwest Area (DOF) office intends to create a 6.2 mile long, 200-foot-wide fuel break on state land north of the Little Susitna River to mitigate the threat of wildfire to the communities of Houston and Meadow Lakes. The intent of this project is to remove hazardous fuels and mitigate spruce beetle kill along the borders of private property, primarily through the mechanical mastication of vegetation within the project area. DOF fire staff will also work on this project, creating a narrower shaded fuel break within riparian corridors, steep terrain, and at the west end of the project area where the alignment approaches private property. DOF intends to hire a contractor to complete the mechanical treatments during winter months when the ground is frozen. The contractor will complete total tree removal by mastication within the project area. The proposed alignment is on existing trails, seismic and section lines. Access to the beginning of the project is on existing gravel logging roads.
PROPOSED DATES OF USE: winter seasonal when the ground is frozen
Start: September 1, 2022
End: April 30, 2025
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: April 25, 2022
The public is invited to comment on this activity. The purpose of this notice is to gather input before a decision is made on this activity. To ensure consideration, written comments must be received by the Division of Mining, Land and Water at the Southcentral Regional Land Office, 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 900C, Anchorage, AK 99501-3577 on or before 5:00 PM on the date noted above. Questions concerning this activity or requests to view the full application packet should be directed to Peter Mueller, Telephone: (907)269-8569; Fax: (907) 269-8913 or e-mail: pete.mueller@alaska.gov.
After review and adjudication, we may issue an authorization with stipulations for the activity. The activity may be modified during the review and adjudication process.
DNR-DMLW complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services or special modifications to comment should contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services.
The DMLW reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.