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State seeks public input on draft Yukon-Tanana Area Plan

(Anchorage, AK) - The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on the draft Yukon-Tanana Area Plan (YTAP).  Once adopted, this plan will serve as the basis for the state’s management of more than 9 million acres of land and water in the Interior for the next 15 to 20 years.  The plan includes a Land Classification Order (NC-10-005)) that proposes to designate approximately 9 million acres within the planning area for specific uses, including agriculture, coal, forestry, habitat, minerals, settlement, water resources and general use.  To view or download an electronic version of the draft plan, read about upcoming public meetings, or submit comments, go to http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/planning/areaplans/ytap.

The Yukon-Tanana Area Plan encompasses state-owned or state-selected land in the western portion of the existing Tanana Basin Area Plan area, previously-unclassified land near Rampart and northwest of Fairbanks, and land within the Denali Borough.  This plan will not affect borough, federal, Mental Health Trust, municipal, university, Alaska Native, private, or other non-state lands. It will also not affect oil and gas lease sales or gas-only lease sales. 

To answer questions and gather public input on the draft plan, Division of Mining, Land & Water will be hosting public meetings during the first two weeks of August. The meeting dates will be posted at http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/planning/areaplans/ytap. Written comments on the draft plan must be submitted on or before August 31. Comments may be sent by e-mail to yukon-tanana.plan@alaska.gov, faxed to 907-269-8915, or sent by mail or hand delivered to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, 550 West 7^th Ave., Suite 1050, Anchorage, AK 99501-3579. Hand-delivered comments must arrive by 5 p.m. on Aug. 31.

For more information, contact Philana Miles at 907-269-8529 or Brandon McCutcheon at 907-269-8536.

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aides, services, or special accommodations to participate in a meeting should contact the person(s) indicated above or contact the state TDD number at 907-269-8411 at least seven days prior to the meeting to arrange accommodations.