Public Notice for Solicitation of Interest
State of Alaska
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Mining, Land, and Water
Northern Regional Lands Office

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land, and Water (DMLW), Northern Regional Land Office (NRO) has received an application from Chatanika Wind LLC for the lease of approximately 450 acres within a 13,572-acre area of state land for a wind farm to be located along the crest of the rounded ridge systems south of the Chatanika River and mileposts 55 through 65 on the Steese Highway. The project is located approximately 40 miles northeast of Fairbanks. The request is for a 40-year lease under AS 38.05.070. The project would be connected to the existing Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) grid with new high voltage transmission lines as part of GVEA’s effort to increase low-cost, reliable, and sustainable energy in its energy portfolio.

The DMLW, NRO is soliciting interest under AS 38.05.070(d) to determine if there is interest from other parties in developing this site for a similar purpose. If there is interest, DMLW, NRO will proceed with a competitive auction. If no interest is expressed, then DMLW, NRO will proceed with a negotiated lease.

To be considered a potential bidder expressing interest in a competitive auction a person must express interest in writing before the expiration of this 30-day public notice period and submit a complete application with a development plan within 30 days after the end of this public notice for solicitation of interest.

If no additional qualifying application is received, DMLW, NRO will proceed with a negotiated lease. The negotiated lease process will include a 30-day public notice period to allow the public to comment on the project with more details on the proposed action.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT INTEREST:

Interest must be received in writing by DMLW, NRO on or before 5:00 p.m. on July 10, 2023, in order to ensure consideration.

In addition, a lease application and development plan must be submitted within 30 days of the above deadline in order to verify an entity’s interest.

To express interest or to seek additional information contact:

Chelsea Barnett
Natural Resource Specialist II
Division of Mining, Land, and Water
Department of Natural Resources
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-4699
Phone (907) 451-3012
Fax: (907) 451-2751
E-mail:  chelsea.barnett@alaska.gov

DNR complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services or special modifications should contact the Public Information Center in Anchorage, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at (907) 269-8400, or pic@alaska.gov, or TDD (907) 269-8411; or the Public Information Center in Fairbanks between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at (907) 451-2705, or fbx_pic@alaska.gov.

DNR reserves the right to waive technical defects in this publication.