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Susitna Matanuska Area Plan

Public Review Draft and Comment Period

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has revised the state land use plan for over 9 million acres of state land in the Susitna and Matanuska river valleys. This public review draft (PRD) of the Susitna Matanuska Area Plan (SMAP) is available for review until May 5.

The SMAP revises the majority of the 1985 Susitna Area Plan (SAP), encompassing most of the land within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Not included in the SMAP is the area generally between Palmer and Willow which is covered by the 2008 Southeast Susitna Area Plan, the Hatcher Pass Management Plan (currently under revision), and the Knik River Public Use Area. Also not included is the northeast corner of the borough, the area of land accessed from the Denali Highway, and Lake Louise. These regions are still guided by the 1985 SAP. For more detail of the planning area, refer to the website below.

The SMAP designates primary uses on state land, provides general management guidelines for a variety of land uses and resources, and identifies specific management intent for individual units of land. Half of the state land has been designated for wildlife habitat. This land will be retained in state ownership and managed to support fish and wildlife resources and their associated habitats. Another 800,000 acres is designated Minerals and will be managed primarily for the mineral resource. Forestry is the designation for about 700,000 acres and will be managed to support forest resources and other related uses. About 700,000 acres is designated for Settlement and is intended to provide a pool of land for future state land sales. The remainder is designated for a variety of land uses including coal, public recreation, agriculture, and water resources. A Land Classification Order (LCO) will be adopted with this plan which classifies each unit of land consistent with the land use designation.

The draft plan, LCO, maps and other information can be found here, or, you can request a copy from the address below to be either emailed as an attachment or mailed as a CD.

Entire Plan Draft Maps

Paper copies of the plan will be available for review by early March at local libraries, DNR's Public Information Center at 550 W 7th Ave. in Anchorage, at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough office at 350 E Dahlia Ave. in Palmer, or by request using the contact information listed below.

Public meetings are being planned for late March/early April to present the plan and its recommendations for land use and guidelines. Following a presentation there will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the recommendations found in the plan. Comments can also be sent directly to the address below. To receive full consideration comments must be received by DNR before 5:00 pm on May 5, 2010.

Contact- Mail: DNR, Division of Mining, Land & Water
Resource Assessment and Development
550 West 7th Ave, Suite 1050
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3579

Phone: (907) 269-8534, or, Fax: (907) 269-8915
Email: ray.burger@alaska.gov

The State of Alaska, DNR, complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aides, services or special modifications to participate in the review may contact the above number, email or the TDD 269-8411.

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There are 11 million acres of land within the area plan boundary and 9 million of these are state owned. Since 1985 the legislature has designated 3 million acres as special purpose lands such as the Nelchina Public Use Area and the Susitna Recreation Rivers. There have also been land conveyances to the borough, Mental Health Trust, University and private individuals and this plan will not affect these lands. These and other changes to the state's population and economy make it desirable to revise the plan to reflect current conditions.

Planning is a way of sorting through the possibilities for using state land, choosing those with the greatest benefits for all Alaskans, and involving the public in the process. The planning process provides a link between the citizens and the agencies charged with managing their land.

Developing plans for state land is challenging because people have differing ideas of how state land can best be used. Also, not all desired uses of state land are compatible in the same place at the same time. Through resource planning, DNR works with the public to determine where the important resources are and how the land can be used for the maximum public benefit. In the planning process all resources are considered and evaluated. Wherever possible, guidelines are established that allow for multiple use.