The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the agency that manages all state-owned land, water, and natural resources, except for fish and game, on behalf of the people of Alaska. DNR, by protecting and maintaining the state’s resources contributes to Alaska’s economic health and quality of life. Further, DNR by making the state’s natural resources available for public use encourages the wise development of these resources. The DNR’s mission is to “Develop, Conserve, and Enhance Natural Resources for Present and Future Alaskans.”
Pursuant to Alaska Stat. § 27.05.010, DNR has the charge of all matters affecting exploration, development, and mining of the mineral resources of the state, the collection and dissemination of all official information relative to the mineral resources, and mines and mining projects of the state, and the administration of the laws with respect to all kinds of mining.
DNR has currently eight divisions namely, agriculture, coastal and ocean management, forestry, geological and geophysical surveys, mining, land and water, oil and gas, parks and outdoor recreation, and support services.
The Division of Agriculture provides land for agricultural development to establish an economically stable industry, which can enhance the quality of life for Alaskans. The function of the division includes promoting and supporting Alaska’s agricultural industry by financing farmers and processors, creating self sufficient agriculture communities, and nurturing new business development for all Alaskans. The division also aims for plant material development, conservation education, marketing assistance, inspection, and farm product certification.
The Division of Coastal & Ocean Management (Coastal Division) provides stewardship for Alaska’s rich and diverse coastal resources by implementing the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP). As a result, the coastal division ensures a healthy and vibrant Alaskan coast that efficiently sustains long-term economic and environmental productivity.
The Division of Forestry (Forestry) provides a sustainable supply of forest resources for Alaskans by developing, conserving, and enhancing Alaska’s forests. The Division of Forestry manages over two million acres of dedicated state forests in the Tanana Valley and near Haines, protects 134 million acres of state forests with its highly trained wildfire suppression organization, and administers Forest Health, Forest Stewardship, Community Forestry, and Conservation Education programs. Some other functions of the division includes protecting water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and other forest values through appropriate forest practices and administration of the Forest Resources and Practices Act, managing wild land fire program on public, private, and municipal lands, encouraging development of the timber industry and forest products markets, conducting timber sales for personal and commercial use and for fuel-wood, giving technical assistance to forest landowners.
The Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) determines:
- the potential of Alaskan land for production of metals, minerals, fuels, and geothermal resources;
- the locations and supplies of groundwater and construction material, and
- the potential geologic hazards to buildings, roads, bridges, and other installations and structures
The Division of Mining, Land & Water (Division of Mining) is the principal manager of Alaska’s land holdings. The Division of Mining performs the following functions:
- ensures the state’s title;
- prepares land-use plans and easement atlases;
- classifies land and controls the leasing and permitting of state land for recreation;
- manages mineral and water resources, except oil & gas, coalbed methane, and geothermal energy;
- manages state mineral exploration, development, and leasing programs on the 96 million acres of state lands available for mineral exploration and mining;
- administers state’s Surface Coal Mining control and Reclamation Program;
- allocates and manages the state’s water resources on all lands in Alaska;
- adjudicates water rights; and
- provides technical hydrologic support and assures dam safety.
The Division of Oil and Gas (Oil & Gas Division) provides for the development and management of the state’s oil and gas leasing programs. In addition, the Oil & Gas Division also oversees the development of the state’s geothermal and coalbed methane resources.
The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation protects and interprets areas of natural and cultural significance, and supports the state’s tourism industry.
The Support Services Division provides administrative, financial, human resources, and computer support for department personnel and facilities throughout the state.
Other offices of DNR include the State Pipeline Coordinator’s Office, the Mental Health Trust Land Unit, the Office of Project Management & Permitting, the Recorder’s Office and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Central File, and the Public Information Centers.
