ADL 419281 DOF Public Access Easement Application near Himalaya Drive, Fairbanks

PUBLIC NOTICEADL 419281Division of Forestry and Fire Protection1/12/2023Subject to AS 38.05.850, the Northern Regional Land Office has received an application for the following:APPLICANT: Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (DOF)PROJECT NAME: ADL 419281GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Approximately 20 miles north of Fairbanks extending southwest from Himalaya DriveLEGAL DESCRIPTION: Sections 20, and 29, Township 3 North, Range 2 West, Fairbanks Meridian, and Sections 25 and 26, Township 3 North, Range 3 West, Fairbanks Meridian REQUESTED ACTIVITY: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land, and Water (DMLW) received a public access easement application from the DOF in September of 2011. The purpose of the easement is to legalize and upgrade access along a fire break constructed during the 2011 Hastings Fire. The firebreak is currently accessed via Himalaya Drive from the Elliot Highway. DOF requested the easement be extended a half mile beyond the existing fire break

in order to reach the boundary of the nearby Tanana Valley State Forest and then use the easement for commercial timber salvage and personal use firewood harvest. The existing firebreak and extension would be upgraded to an all-season forestry road. The proposed easement passes through both state and Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) lands. Where portions of the proposed easement pass through FNSB lands it would require a separate easement from FNSB. Where on state land, the proposed easement measures approximately 2.5 miles in length and 100 feet in width. The constructed road would be a gravel surface between 16-20 feet wide located within the 100-foot easement width on state land.In 2011 this easement was adjudicated and underwent public and agency comment, however, the project stalled, and no decision or easement was issued. DMLW is moving forward again with adjudicating the easement application as the access is still needed.REQUESTED TERM: In perpetuityDEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: February 13, 2023The 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 comments must be received by the Division of Mining, Land and Water at 3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 on or before 5:00 p.m. on the date noted above. Questions concerning this activity or requests to view the full application packet should be directed to Jaclyn Cheek, Telephone: 907-451-2733; Fax: 907-451-2751 or e-mail: jaclyn.cheek@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.