NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
LAS 35756
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES

Subject to AS 38.05.850, the Southcentral Regional Land Office has received an application for the following:

APPLICANT: Department of Transportation & Public Facilities

PROJECT NAME: LAS 35756

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Located within the following state-owned material sites:

1) Seward Highway MP 42

2) Seward Highway MP 49

3) Richardson Highway MP 74

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:

1. Seward Highway MP 42 - SE1/4 Section 24, Township 6 North, Range 2 West, Seward Meridian

2. Seward Highway MP 49 - Sections 20, 21, Township 7 North, Range 1 West, Seward Meridian

3. Richardson Highway MP 74 - Section 31, Township 3 South, Range 1 East, Copper River Meridian

REQUESTED ACTIVITY: The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is requesting a five-year permit to conduct controlled explosive training and testing within three state-owned designated material sites in support of DOT&PF's statewide avalanche safety program to ensure qualified personnel can safely perform explosive and non-explosive avalanche mitigation activities near highway corridors. The training activities may vary but will generally include drone mitigation, mobile remote avalanche control systems (gas exploder), and hand charges. The dates and frequency are subject to change but would include up to three trainings per year (two winter, one summer), with each lasting up to three days. All activities will be overseen by the DOT&PF Blaster-in-Charge and will follow manufacturer guidance and industry best practices. Full or partial road closures may be implemented when necessary to maintain public safety but are expected to be brief and coordinated with local agencies.

PROPOSED DATES OF USE:
Start: February 2026
End: January 2031

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: December 17, 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 or emailed comments must be received by the Division of Mining, Land and Water at the Southcentral Regional Land Office, 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 900C, Anchorage, AK 99501-3577 on or before 5:00 PM on the date noted above. Questions concerning this activity should be directed to John Forbes, Telephone: (907)269-5032; Fax: (907) 269-8913 or e-mail: john.forbes@alaska.gov.

After review and adjudication, we may issue an authorization with stipulations for the activity. The activity may be modified during the review and adjudication process.

DNR-DMLW complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services or special modifications to comment should contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services.

The DMLW reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.