The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, gives formal notice under 11 AAC 02 (Appeals) that the Alaska Department of Natural Resources has made a final best interest decision under AS 38.05.035(e) for the Mat-Su Valley Beetle Kill Sales (SC-2023-01).
This decision offers approximately 1,271 acres of beetle-killed white spruce in individual sale units from state lands in four main areas: 1) the Houston Block; 2) the Willer-Kash Block; 3) the West Petersville Block; and 4) the Fish Creek Block. The volume to be offered totals approximately 5,339,788 board feet of spruce. DOF recognizes that birch harvest may occur, but this proposed sale targets dead white spruce.
The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection will sell the timber as multiple sales as a sealed bid for commercial use. If no qualified bid is received within the time specified for the sales, DOF may offer the sales or portions of the sales for purchase over-the-counter for not less than the advertised minimum bid (whole or prorated) without further notice. For these timber sales, Forest Land Use Plans (FLUPs) will be issued for review for individual sales.
The Director of the Division of Forestry, Alaska Department of Natural Resources has made a written final decision that the sale(s) are in the best interest of the State. This decision sets out the facts and applicable policies upon which the Director based his determination that the proposed timber sales will serve the interest of the State.
The final decision is issued as of July 14, 2023. Copies of the Final Best Interest Finding are available for review at the division’s Mat-Su/Southwest Area Office and the division’s web site https://forestry.alaska.gov/decisiondocs.
A person who has standing under Alaska law may request appeal in accordance with 11 AAC 02. Any appeal request must be received within twenty (20) days of issuance of this decision. Twenty days from the issuance date of July 14, 2023 is August 3, 2023. Appeals may be mailed or hand-delivered to the DNR Commissioner’s Office, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1400, Anchorage, Alaska, 99501; or faxed to (907) 269-8918; or sent by electronic mail to dnr.appeals@alaska.gov. Appeals must be accompanied by the fee established in 11 AAC 05.160(d)(6), which has been set at $200 under the provisions of 11 AAC 05.160 (a)-(b).