Notice of Public Scoping Under Administrative Order 360 for possible Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW) Regulation Changes in 11 AAC 200, relating to Statewide Abatement of Impaired Lands.

Background. In response to Administrative Order 360, DMLW is soliciting written comments from affected industries, community organizations, and the general public regarding regulations and materials incorporated by reference in 11 AAC 200.

Suggested subtopics include:

Derelict Vessels Program Fund

Derelict Vessel Management and Abatement

Enforcement Authority

Generally Allowed Uses

Contaminated Site Management and Closure

Spill Response Management

Solid Waste Permitting

Trespass Management and Abatement

 DNR is undertaking this solicitation process to ask the public for ideas, suggestions, and input before DMLW drafts or proposes any specific regulation amendments or repeals for public review.

DMLW is particularly interested in specific ideas for regulatory change that may:

• clarify existing regulatory obligations;
• reduce costs for the public, industry, or government;
• improve or streamline procedures, application requirements, and review processes, for example reducing the time required to apply for a license, permit, or benefit;
• reduce administrative burdens;
• streamline permitting procedures;
• improve communication procedures;
• provide greater transparency with respect to standards, decision-making, and rationales for application processing; or
• clarify interagency roles.

Written comments. Written comments must be received by October 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. Written comments may be sent to https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/comment/

Written comments are desired. Questions about regulations can be asked at a hearing to be held online on October 15, 2025, from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. You may join the meeting here: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/f5de433b-3811-40ac-a808-3eeb263825bd@20030bf6-7ad9-42f7-9273-59ea83fcfa38

There will not be in-person attendance provided at the hearing site, so please prepare to share your questions online only.  The hearing may be extended to accommodate questions. Before the start of the hearing, DMLW may limit the time allotted for each person, as reasonably necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact the Program Support Section at dmlwprogramsupport@alaska.gov, or 907-269-8513 not later than October 20, 2025 to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.

Please note that input provided in response to this solicitation will be subject to inspection, copying, and distribution as public records under the Alaska Public Records Act in AS 40.25.110 – 40.25.220.  Please do not include any confidential information in comments.

DMLW is not currently proposing any specific regulation change and there are no draft regulations prepared for public comment under the Administrative Procedure Act at this time. If DMLW undertakes revisions to these regulations, there will be an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed regulation changes that are released for public review and comment under the Administrative Procedure Act.

DMLW keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of DMLW’s notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the dmlwprogramsupport@alaska.gov, or 907-269-8513, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.