Performance Details
Department of Natural Resources - Mining, Land & Water
Mission
Provide for the appropriate use and management of Alaska's state owned land and water, aiming toward maximum use consistent with the public interest.
Core Services
- Acquire land for the citizens of the State of Alaska.
- Defend and assert state ownership interests.
- Defend access to state land and water.
- Create plans to direct management of state land and water.
- Sell and transfer land into private and municipal ownership.
- Issue short and long term authorizations for use of state land and water.
- Provide regulatory oversight for water use, dam safety, unorganized borough platting review, and mine reclamation for entire state.
- Collect revenues from the use and disposal of state land and water.
- Provide active stewardship of state land and water.
Mission Results |
Core Services |
||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||
Mission Results |
Core Services |
||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||
Mission Results |
Core Services |
||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||
Mission Results |
Core Services |
||||||||||||
|
|
Performance Detail
A: Result -Acquire state land entitlement, defend and plan for use of state land. |
A1: Core Service - Acquire land for the citizens of the State of Alaska. |
Target #1: Acquire land or land interests for conservation, development, or agency needs through land exchanges, direct or indirect purchases, donations, escheatment, and foreclosures..
FY2022 Acquisitions Agency Need: OSL 1651, OSL 1655, OSL 1657 Other: LSH 673, LSH 674 Management Authority: ADL 233995, ADL 233996 FY2023 Active Acquisitions EVOS: 2 parcels agency Need: 13 parcels Target Last Modified: 11/07/2023 |
A2: Core Service - Defend and assert state ownership interests. |
Target #1: Provide title reports as requested for parcels of state land proposed for land sales, land lease, timber sales, Native Allotments reconveyances, and other development activities..
Target Last Modified: 11/07/2023 |
A3: Core Service - Defend access to state land and water. |
Target #1: Protect public access by reserving public easements and championing state ownership of navigable waters and submerged lands using administrative remedies, litigation, and asserting the Public Trust Doctrine..
DMLW was actively involved in federal and state court litigation on the following rivers and lakes: North Fork Fortymile River, Middle Fork Fortymile River, South Fork Koyukuk River, Middle Fork Koyukuk River, Bettles River, Dietrich River and Lemon Creek. DMLW provided notice pursuant to the Federal Quiet Title Act of its intention to sue the Federal Government on the Mulchatna River, the Chilikadrotna River, Turquoise Lake, Twin Lakes, Resurrection River, Birch Creek, Beaver Creek and Tukslesluk Lake. DMLW has the following Recordable Disclaimer of Interest (RDI) applications pending with the Alaska BLM State Office: Delta River, West Fork Fortymile River, Denison Fork Fortymile River, Arolik River, Eek River System, Goodnews River System, and the Kwethluk River. DMLW received a favorable decision of the Interior Board of Land Appeals regarding its RDI application for the Kuskokwim River near McGrath. As part of Governor Dunleavy"s Unlocking Alaska Initiative, DMLW made navigability determinations for all navigable waters falling within the boundaries of all NPS areas statewide as well as the Tongass National Forest and recorded that information on the state navigable waters map for public use and information. DMLW undertook additional state navigability determinations for Paradise Lake, Crescent Lake, and Little Su River. DMLW was actively involved in federal and state litigation on the RS 2477 trail network falling within the boundaries of the Fortymile River Wild and Scenic Corridor; Klutina Lake Road, and the Iditarod Trail. DMLW asserted state ownership of public rights-of-way within various federal planning initiatives including the Bering Strait-Western Interior Regional Planning Initiative, the White Mountain Transportation Management Plan, the Steese Recreational Area Management Plan, and the Tongass Lakes Transportation Management Plan. DMLW also asserted and defended rights of public use on numerous waters including, but not limited to, Campbell Lake, Fire Lake, Little Fire Lake, McCarthy Creek, Kennicott River, and Klutina River. Target Last Modified: 11/08/2023 |
A4: Core Service - Create plans to direct management of state land and water. |
Target #1: Develop land management plans and classify lands for settlement to support future municipal entitlements and land sales, or in other categories to support other forms of development including agriculture, forestry, and mineral development..
Most land is classified through completion of an area plan while a smaller percentage is classified outside a major planning effort. The classification or reclassification of state lands that results from the adoption of plans varies significantly each year due to the length of time it takes to prepare land use plans, complexity of the issues raised and the public process. There are also often substantial differences in area plans between the acres classified for settlement or other disposal categories depending on the nature and resources of an area.2,412 Target Last Modified: 11/08/2023 |
B: Result -An adequate amount of state land is transferred into private ownership and to municipalities for settlement, recreation, development and other uses. Target #1: Sell 200 parcels of land per year. |
Target #1: Sell 200 parcels of land per year..
Target Last Modified: 11/07/2023 |
B1: Core Service - Sell and transfer land into private and municipal ownership. |
Target #1: Provide Alaskans local governance and use of state land by transferring state land to municipalities under the Municipal Entitlement Act..
Target Last Modified: 11/08/2023 |
Target #2: Offer 200 parcels of land at auction..
NOTE: In calendar year 2013, the annual auction was moved from June 2013 to July 2014, which accounts for the fact that there was no auction in 2013. In addition, hundreds of "lost parcels" were found and offered in FY2012 and a special discount auction was offered in FY2014, accounting for the high parcel numbers in FY2012 and FY2014. On a calendar year basis, the number of sales is consistent. However, due to an auction occurring a few days prior to the end of FY2020, the results show an increase to FY2020 and a decrease to FY2021. Current fiscal year is on track for normal sales. Target Last Modified: 11/08/2023 |
Target #3: Maintain an inventory of land available over-the-counter..
Target Last Modified: 11/08/2023 |
C: Result -Businesses, individuals, and other entities obtain authorizations necessary for the environmentally sound use and development of state land and resources. |
Target #1: Eliminate backlogged land use applications..
The backlog is a subset of the existing workload numbers identified in January 2023 for the capital project and is representative of the number of complete applications received that have not proceeded to the point of issuance of an authorization. In some cases, such as with easements and leases, the final issuance does not come until survey and appraisal have been completed. In those cases, businesses are often provided an entry authorization to allow construction to be completed before surveying the parcel and/or infrastructure. Entry authorizations are not considered backlog. In some cases, renewal or reissuance applications for future use of already-authorized sites are submitted far in advance of the current authorization"s expiration; while the existing use is still under original authorization term, the new reissuance application still being in the processing queue does not prevent the ongoing original authorized use of state land. In some cases, new applications are for legal reservation or codification to the land records of a use which is already taking place, such as reservation of a public easement along a pre-existing trail; in many of these cases, the application being in the processing queue does not prevent the ongoing generally allowed use of the existing trail. Target Last Modified: 11/10/2023 |
C1: Core Service - Issue short and long term authorizations for use of state land and water. |
Target #1: Process a minimum of 80% of land use applications received..
Not included in the above numbers are Interagency Land Management Assignments, Cooperative Resource Management Agreements, and trespass cases. The division supports other state agencies through the issuance of Interagency Land Management Assignments, and issues Cooperative Resource Management Agreements with municipalities or other entities. These actions require time and attention as well as adjudicatory work. Each new authorization issued creates a new workload of contract administration, assignments, amendments, name changes, sub-lease agreements, billing, monitoring, compliance and close out, all of which is not reflected in these numbers. The division expects there to be more applications in future years as the state strives to bring in additional entitlement acres with high development potential each year, as federally approved infrastructure initiatives generate new projects, and the division moves to improve tracking and resolution of previously unauthorized uses which could be legitimately permitted. The division"s stewardship responsibilities that do not involve issuing an authorization are constant. The substantial amount of time staff spends on these issues takes them away from their duties to process authorizations. Despite necessary diversion of stewardship responsibilities, policy development, increasing recruitment and retention challenges in FY2023, the number of land use authorizations issued by DMLW staff continued to exceed new applications received. In general, many types of businesses or support corporations received authorizations that allowed use of state land for financial gain, and for diversification of the state economy. Authorizations in this component benefit utility, oil and gas, mining, commercial recreation, tourism, fishing, construction, and other development industries by authorizing legal access to the state owned and managed land, water, and resources. If the division is not able to take the necessary time to produce defensible, responsible decisions which will successfully withstand appeals or litigation, these same industries are adversely affected. Often businesses cannot plan their operations, get investment capital, insurance, or loans if they do not have the required land authorizations. A few of the major projects worked by the Regional Land Offices in FY2023 include, the on-going Ambler Road Project proposed by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, the public access project for the Donlin Gold Mine and the West Su Access Road, . Received Issued Leases 41 119 Material Sale 51 47 Permits 183 371 Easements 44 54 Target Last Modified: 11/10/2023 |
Target #2: Process a minimum of 90% of new water use applications received..
The use of state water resources is primarily managed through issued water rights and temporary water use authorizations. During FY2023 a combined total of 442 new applications were received and 544 authorizations were issued, providing a 123% processing rate. The increase in the percent of applications processed is attribute to the backlog reduction project, which funds three long term non-permanent positions to processing older water right applications. Target Last Modified: 11/10/2023 |
C2: Core Service - Provide regulatory oversight for water use, dam safety, unorganized borough platting review, and mine reclamation for entire state. |
Target #1: Maintain current periodic safety inspections on 60% of jurisdictional dams..
The Alaska dam safety regulations require the dam owner to hire a qualified engineer to conduct this inspection and submit a report to the state. In addition, the regulations require the State Dam Safety Engineer to review and approve the inspection reports for these dams. Because the inspection may occur in one fiscal year, and the report may not be submitted, reviewed and approved until the following fiscal year, the measure is based on the date of the visual inspection of the dam by the qualified engineer. All jurisdictional dams are required to have a periodic safety inspection, but not all dams are inspected each year. The inspection interval is dependent on the hazard potential classification of the dam. Class I (high) and Class II (significant) hazard potential dams are typically inspected every three years. Class III (low) hazard potential dams are to be inspected every five years. This creates an inconsistent number of dams due for an inspection each year. The percent of dams in compliance with periodic safety inspection requirements is a general measure of the cooperation of dam owners with the Alaska Dam Safety Program. The Dam Safety and Construction Unit promotes cooperation with the Alaska Dam Safety Program, while balancing enforcement of the dam safety regulations based on the apparent risk from a specific dam. Compliance in any given year is contingent on several factors including the dam owner"s incentive, budget and schedule, as well as weather, project understanding and staff workload. The current goal is to maintain at least 60% compliance with periodic safety inspection requirements, and to ensure that no dams fail by identifying high risk factors for mitigation through the periodic safety inspection process. Dam Safety Staff continues to review and conduct inspections for dams as necessary to help facilitate safe operation of dams. Target Last Modified: 11/10/2023 |
Target #2: Post 100% of new well data received on the WELTS data base web site..
The online WELTS is fully functional and has been enhanced to allow drillers to input well log data themselves, upon approval from DNR staff. As a result, an additional 382 well logs were uploaded directly by drillers to WELTS, reducing DNR staff time spent on WELTS data entry. The 43,000+ wells logs in the WELTS database can be queried using a variety of parameters which has increased its functionality and usefulness to DNR and the public. Target Last Modified: 11/11/2023 |
Target #3: Conduct site inspections on all large mine projects..
Inspections can be conducted by mining or water staff (inclusive of dam safety). The division has responsibilities over exploration permits, mine operations, water use, dam safety, and reclamation plan approvals. Active large mines include Red Dog, Pogo, Fort Knox, Greens Creek, Kensington, Two Bull Ridge, and Jumbo Dome Mine. Kinross Alaska received a Reclamation Plan Approval to begin operations at the Manh Choh project in FY2023. The Gold Run Pass, Poker Flats Jumbo Dome Road coal mines ended production and are now being reclaimed and no longer count as large mines but are still inspected as required by AS 27.21. In FY2023 True North and Rock Creek (Nanuuq) are in a post-closure monitoring. During FY2023, advanced exploration projects included Anarraaq-Aktigiruq, Donlin, Palmer, Pebble, Estelle, Whistler, Lucky Shot, Cleary, Graphite One, Bornite, Arctic, Johnson Tract, Flatlands Energy and Hoseanna Emma Creek. Advanced exploration that were not active during FY2023 were not counted in this report. For this report, inspections of placer mines and smaller exploration projects were not included. Target Last Modified: 11/11/2023 |
Target #4: Review plats for unorganized boroughs within the 45 day maximum review time limit per AS 40.15.305(d)..
No plat exceeded the 45 day limit for maximum review time as described in AS 40.15.305(d). Target Last Modified: 11/11/2023 |
C3: Core Service - Collect revenues from the use and disposal of state land and water. |
Target #1: Generate $15 million in revenue from fees and sales..
Target Last Modified: 11/11/2023 |
D: Result -All state land is unencumbered by unauthorized use, contamination, or waste that makes it unavailable for other public use and development. |
Target #1: Reduce by 5% the total number of identified sites that are encumbered by hazardous waste, contamination, unauthorized use, and other material or appurtenances..
The figures for identified sites are a compilation of various databases of encumbrances of state land and thus the numbers fluctuate somewhat. The sites reclaimed combine efforts from the land regions, general mining and the abandoned mine lands program. DMLW has over 800 cases of unauthorized use, usually in the form of some structure that someone has built, or equipment left without authorization from the division, or by conducting commercial operations on State lands without an authorization, and illegal dumping of solid waste. Abandoned sites often contain debris, hazardous waste, or potential contamination. Our regional lands offices actively work to resolve cases of unauthorized use or encumbrances of state lands through case closures, separate permitting actions, or approvals. During FY2023, the Abandoned and Derelict Vessel (ADV) Program within the SAIL Section worked with vessel owners and others to track, remove, and prevent ADVs. SAIL opened 31 ADV trespass cases, 10 of which were resolved with vessel removal. Target Last Modified: 11/10/2023 |
D1: Core Service - Provide active stewardship of state land and water. |
Target #1: 100% of required mineral reclamation for coal projects is accomplished without significant environmental problems..
Notice of Violation: 5 Issued, 5 Abated, 0 Outstanding Directive: 0 Issued, 0 Terminated, 1 Outstanding The coal program staff closely monitors coal reclamation projects to ensure they meet strict stipulations and standards designed to protect the environment. DMLW inspects coal mining operations and can perform various levels of compliance actions. In severity from least severe to most, a Directive is a warning that tells the company how to fix the problem but allows operations to continue; a Notice of Violation is a monetary fine given when a company fails to meet the directive or there is immediate harm to the environment or public safety; and a Cessation Order stops operations and assesses a daily fine until the issue is resolved. DMLW has taken actions to mitigate or stop potential environmental damage in a way to least impact the commercial ventures, and most have been successfully abated. With the timing of the fiscal year, some directives or violations will be abated soon after they are issued, but will be reported in the subsequent fiscal year. Target Last Modified: 11/10/2023 |
Last refreshed: 04/24/2024 05:00 pm