Subject to AS 38.05.850, the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Southeast Regional Land Office has received an application for the following:

APPLICANT: Zack Miller

PROJECT NAME: ADL 109416

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION:

Elfin Cove, Alaska; more specifically on the northeastern tip of the community, directly adjacent to State-owned dock (ADL 20980), approximately 87-miles northwest of Sitka, Alaska.

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION:

C042S055E25 Metes and bounds description within Section 25, Township 42 South, Range 55 East, Copper River Meridian, containing approximately 0.91 acres.

58.1942 N, 136.3439 W

REQUESTED ACTIVITY:

On November 26th, 2024, DMLW received an application for a private, non-exclusive easement to install, operate, and maintain a private, commercial hydroelectric power system which will include a catchment system, an 8-inch water line approximately 2,000-feet long on state-owned uplands, along with a discharge pipe and powerhouse, proposed to be installed on state-owned tidelands.

The applicant proposes to intake 42,750 gallons of water per hour at the intake point. Approximately 170-feet of water line is proposed to be installed through applicant’s private Lot 15. The proposed powerhouse is estimated to measure 15-feet by 25-feet. There is no fill proposed on State-owned tidelands and instead the powerhouse will utilize concrete footings.

The applicant proposes to run a portion of the water line through DNR-DMLW easement ADL 100853, which is a public easement meant for public access and utility use. Approximately 94-feet of water line is proposed to be placed within the boundaries of ADL 100853.

The hydroelectric project will power the applicant’s cabin rental properties, as well as the town generator system through net metering. From late fall through the spring, the system will generate enough power for the community to shut off the generator during maintenance and maintain uninterrupted power when the demand is low enough during off-seasons.

The applicant will provide long-term maintenance which includes daily monitoring of water flow and power output. Routine inspections of the water catchment system will be conducted to look for damage and debris. The water line will be checked on alternating days, or, as needed, to address potential hazards and general functions.

REQUESTED TERM: 25 years

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: May 1^st, 2025


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 emailed to the adjudicator below or received by the Division of Mining, Land and Water at Southeast Regional Land Office, PO Box 111020, Juneau, Alaska 99811 on or before 5:00 p.m. on the date noted above. Questions concerning this activity should be directed to Quinn McClurg, Telephone: (907)-465-3432, or e-mail: quinlan.mcclurg@alaska.gov