What is this notice about?
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing to set aside about 320 acres near Milepost 165 of the Dalton Highway as a material site, where gravel and similar materials can be dug up and sold. It also plans to sell 50,000 cubic yards of material from the site to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) under a 5-year contract, and to reserve a 100-foot-wide access easement. The public can send written comments until December 2, 2026.
Why was this notice issued?
On February 25, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a decision revoking Public Land Order (PLO) 5150. Once the revocation is complete, state-selected lands in the corridor become available for the State to acquire. DNR is doing this review ahead of time so the lands can be quickly transferred to the State. The notice invites the public to comment on the proposed actions in its Preliminary Finding and Decision (PD).
What action is being taken?
DNR's Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW) has issued a Preliminary Decision proposing to: (1) designate a material site (ADL 422627) once the State gets equitable title to the land, allowing materials to be extracted and sold until DMLW closes the site, with future sales possible without further finding or notice; (2) issue a 5-year material sale contract (ADL 422875) to DOT&PF for 50,000 cubic yards at less than fair market value (FMV); and (3) reserve a 100-foot-wide Private Non-Exclusive Easement (ADL 422874) to protect access for government purposes, material sale contracts, pipeline and utility management, and other uses not prohibited by AS 19.40. The site is within the SE ¼ of Section 23 and the E½ of Section 26, Township 27 North, Range 13 West, Fairbanks Meridian, about 320 acres, at approximately MP 165 of the Dalton Highway.
Who is involved: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), proposed buyer of material; Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which revoked PLO 5150
How can the public respond?
Respond by
Wed, Dec 2, 2026
24 days from today.
“Written comments or objections must be received by the Northern Regional Land Office no later than December 2, 2026.”
Ways to respond
What to include
Comments must be in writing. To be able to appeal the Final Finding and Decision, you must submit written comments during the comment period. Anyone who comments will receive a copy of the decision with an explanation of the appeal process. Reference ADL 422627, ADL 422874 and ADL 422875. Copies of the PD and the standard material sale contract are available from the Northern Regional Land Office. People with disabilities who need help to comment can contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services.
Contact
Alex Wynne
Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Northern Regional Land Office
alex.wynne-ballard@alaska.gov
907-451-3010
3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Will there be public meetings?
The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.
Key dates
- Feb 25, 2026: BLM issued decision revoking PLO 5150.
- Oct 30, 2026: Preliminary Finding and Decision public notice issued.
- Dec 2, 2026: Deadline for written comments or objections to be received.
Original notice text
PUBLIC NOTICE
Preliminary Finding and Decision
ADL 422627 Designation of Material Site
ADL 422874 Private Non-Exclusive Easement
ADL 422875 Material Sale Contract for the Department of Transportation (DOT)
October 30, 2026
On February 25, 2026, BLM issued a decision revoking PLO 5150. Once revocation is complete, lands selected under the Statehood Act within the corridor are available for acquisition (by the state). This adjudicatory process is being conducted in anticipation of timely conveyance of these lands to the State.
Material Site Designation and Material Sale Contract
The Department has issued a Preliminary Decision proposing to designate a material site once equitable title to the subject lands is obtained. The designation under AS 38.05.550(b) will allow for the use and operation of the material site for extraction and sale of materials until closed by the DMLW. Future contracts for the sale of material from the designated site would be issued pursuant to AS 38.05.550-.565, and materials may be sold continuously pursuant to contracts without further finding or notice once the site is designated.
The DMLW must also ensure that state land and natural resources be available for the maximum use consistent with the public interest. To that end, the DMLW will continue to carefully review individual sale requests and operation plans once sites have been designated, to ensure resource consideration and multiple use issues are appropriately evaluated.
Pursuant to the designation of this site and AS 38.05.555, the DMLW intends to issue a 5-year material sale contract from this site for 50,000 cubic yards at less than Fair Market Value (FMV) to DOT&PF.
Private Non-Exclusive Easement
If this site is designated, the DMLW proposes reserving a 100 foot wide Private Non-Exclusive Easement, ADL 422874, pursuant to AS 38.05.850. The purpose of this easement would be to protect access for governmental purposes, material sale contracts, pipeline and utility management purposes, and other uses not prohibited by AS 19.40.
Location and Legal Description
Location:
The site is located at approximately MP 165 of the Dalton Highway
Legal Description:
Within the SE ¼ of Section 23 and the E½ of Section 26, Township 27 North, Range 13 West, Fairbanks Meridian, containing approximately 320 acres, more or less.
Public Notice
The public is invited to comment on these proposed actions. The Northern Regional Land Office (NRO) must receive, in writing, any comments or objections no later than December 2, 2026. The public is invited to comment and should submit comments to DNR, DMLW, NRO at 3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709, or emailed to alex.wynne-ballard@alaska.gov. Alex Wynne can be contacted for further information at 907-451-3010 or at the above email address. Additional copies of the PD and copies of the standard material sale contract may be obtained from the NRO. Interested parties have the right to comment during the public notice period and the commenters who are aggrieved by the Final Finding and Decision will have the right to appeal it. In order to be able to appeal the Final Finding and Decision, a person must provide written comments during the PD comment period. A copy of the decision will be sent to any person who comments on the PD and will include an explanation of the appeal process.
If public comment in response to this notice indicates the need for significant change in the decision, additional public notice will be given. If no significant change is required, the decision, including any minor changes, will be issued as the final decision.
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.
This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text.
This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.