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DNR details land management activity: Ambler access, land sales and new concession/broadband staffing requests
Summary
DNR briefed lawmakers on land management accomplishments and pending authorizations, including work on Ambler access right‑of‑way, increased land sales revenue, and staffing to implement big‑game guide concession areas and process broadband easement applications.
The Department of Natural Resources told the House Finance Committee the Division of Mining, Land and Water manages more than 60 million acres of state land and reported recent revenue gains, ongoing conveyances, and active authorizations including the Ambler access right‑of‑way and new program staffing tied to Senate Bill 189.
Deputy Commissioner Brent Goodrum said the division generated about $37.9 million in revenue from state land uses in the last year, an 8.7 percent increase from the prior fiscal year. The land sales program sold 165 parcels totaling nearly 1,200 acres and generated about $5.9 million for the land disposal income fund, Goodrum said.
The nut graf: Division officials said they are working through an active application from Ambler access proponents for a right‑of‑way extending from the Dalton Highway to the Ambler project area and that other land disposition, easement and permit work continues in parallel; the department will continue due diligence on third‑party landowner agreements where required.
Goodrum told members the division is processing an application from ADA for a right‑of‑way related to the Ambler Access Road and continues to work with other landowners; he noted the state can only authorize access where it holds land interests and that agreements with other landowners will be necessary. Representative Josephson and Representative Hannon asked whether section‑line easement access applies over native corporation lands; Goodrum said the department would follow up with a detailed answer.
On new program staffing, Goodrum said the FY26 proposal includes two permanent positions and $342,000 UGF to implement big‑game guide concession areas under Senate Bill 189, which he said directed the Board of Game to create such concession areas beginning FY2025; the division will draft regulations, selection criteria and issue permits. The division also requested two permanent positions (and three flex positions) to process easement applications related to broadband projects supported by Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.
DNR officials said they would provide the committee with additional details about specific purchasers and grant recipients when asked by members.
Next steps: DNR will provide follow‑up information on whether section‑line easements extend over native corporation lands, finalize due diligence on Ambler access applications and return with more detailed fiscal impacts on particular conveyances and projects.
