10/07/2026
NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON PUBLIC USE AREAS IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Department of Natural Resources proposes to change regulations relating to management of the Matanuska Valley Moose Range and the Jonesville Public Use Area.
Summary of proposed changes: The Department of Natural Resources proposes to adopt regulation changes in 11 AAC 96 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with designated public use areas including the following:
(1) 11 AAC 96.016 is proposed to be amended to make conforming language and citation changes and to add new subsections that regulate activity in the Jonesville Public Use Area.
(2) To add a new section 11 AAC 96.017 that regulates activity in the Matanuska Valley Moose Range.
(3) 11 AAC 96.020(a) is proposed to be changed to make conforming citation amendments.
(4) 11 AAC 96.030(a) is proposed to be changed to clarify language.
(5) 11 AAC 96.250 is proposed to be changed to amend and add new definitions for “motorized vehicle,” “explosive,” “firework,” “explosive device,” “designated public use site,” “organic mat,” “permit,” and “wetlands.”
Written comments: You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments by email to [email protected]; by mail to Molly Benson at 550 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 1070, Anchorage, Alaska 99501; and by facsimile at 1-907-269-8904.
Written comment deadline: The written comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on November 9, 2026.
Questions: You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Molly Benson via email at [email protected] or by mail at 550 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 1070, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period, which is October 30, 2026. The Department of Natural Resources will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and the department’s website.
Public nature of comments and questions: Public comments and questions, once submitted, are public records and subject to disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act. See AS 40.25.100 - 40.25.295. Do NOT include in your comments or questions any information that you do not want made public.
Accommodations: If you are a person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Molly Benson via email at [email protected] or by phone at 907-269-8601 not later than October 30, 2026, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Obtaining copies of proposed regulations: A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Molly Benson at the contact information above.
Final version of regulations: After the public comment period ends, the Department of Natural Resources will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory authority: AS 16.20.350, AS 38.05.020, AS 38.05.035, AS 41.23.280, AS 41.23.282, AS 41.23.284, AS 41.23.286
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 16.20.340, AS 16.20.350, AS 16.20.360, AS 38.05.035, AS 38.05.850, AS 41.23.280, AS 41.23.282, AS 41.23.284, AS 41.23.286, AS 41.23.288, AS 41.23.289
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
How to receive further notices: The Division of Mining, Land and Water keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of the division’s notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to Molly Benson at the contact information provided above, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.
Individuals can also sign up to receive automated notifications of all State of Alaska notices, including public notice for regulation changes, by subscribing to the Alaska Online Public Notices System: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx.
