Solicitation for Public Input — Department of Natural Resources — Division of Mining, Land and Water – Regulatory Revisions Regarding Land

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 58, 11 AAC 60, 11 AAC 62, 11 AAC 63, 11 AAC 64, 11 AAC 65, 11 AAC 71, 11 AAC 94, 11 AAC 96, and 11 AAC 97 relating to land.

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 58 relating to land.

Suggested subtopics include:

Leasing 11 AAC 58

Aquatic farms

                11 AAC 63

Commercial recreation and tourism

                11 AAC 96.018

General commercial and industrial

11 AAC 58.020

Tideland, shoreland, and submerged land

                11 AAC 62

Public and charitable

                11 AAC 58.830

Agricultural and grazing

                11 AAC 58, 11 AAC 60

Shore fishery

                11 AAC 64

Permits 11 AAC 96

Generally allowed uses

                11 AAC 96.020

Land use permits

                11 AAC 96

Over-the-counter permits

Non-timber forest products

                11 AAC 96.035

Trapping cabins

                11 AAC 94

Personal use cabins

                11 AAC 65

Material sales 11 AAC 71

Non-state Reclamation plan approval for gravel mining, state and non-state land

                11 AAC 97.100

Easements

Public easements

                11 AAC 51

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 14, 2025, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. You may join the meeting by using this link: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/dbf43501-cc8b-4b7a-bb3a-f5375a5ea0ea@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.