Virtual Public Meeting for Proposed Additions to the Tanana Valley State Forest

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing the expansion of the Tanana Valley State Forest. As of May 2, 2025, the Alaska State Legislature is formally considering the addition of these lands to the Tanana Valley State Forest through House Bill 218 and Senate Bill 188. By designating these lands as State Forest, management will be transferred to the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF), with a primary focus on timber management. This will ensure the production, use, and replenishment of timber resources while still supporting other beneficial uses of public lands. This change provides reassurance to investors, including DOF, that their investments in forest activities, such as reforestation, will be worthwhile in the long run. Investments in roads built for harvesting timber can be maintained for future use. Additionally, these forest roads will improve public access for recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, berry picking, and tourism.The public is invited to learn more at a virtual community meeting when the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection will provide a high-level overview of the proposal, answer questions, and explain how the public may participate in the process.This meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 28 at 6:00pm via Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teamshttps://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OGRlZTVmNzUtYjE1Zi00NGY5LWJlN2ItNTMxMWMzNzNiZTVj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2220030bf6-7ad9-42f7-9273-59ea83fcfa38%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2258392a3b-fd32-4193-9ff1-46391f5c19ec%22%7d Meeting ID: 212 215 650 421 7Passcode: 2cT2tR78 Dial in by phone+1 907-202-7104,,667757142# United States, AnchoragePhone conference ID: 667 757 142#Join on a video conferencing deviceTenant key: 260748889@t.plcm.vcVideo ID: 115 729 618 7A recording of the meetings will be made available to view online for those who cannot attend live.If you are a person experiencing a disability who needs a special accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact Lily Coyle at lily.coyle@alaska.gov or (907) 317-5057, no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting to make any necessary arrangements.Please email any comments or questions to STATEFORESTS@ALASKA.GOV and visit https://forestry.alaska.gov/proposals/sTATEforestexpansion for more information