DNR releases Lower Kuskokwim Site Specific Plan for public comment

Release of the Lower Kuskokwim Site Specific Plan Public Review Draft. Public Comment Period Open April 19, 2024 through May 20, 2024.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the Lower Kuskokwim Site Specific Plan (LKSSP) Public Review Draft (PRD) for public review and comment. Following a 30-day public review period, which may result in changes to the PRD, the planning team will review the comments and prepare an Issue Response Summary (IRS). The IRS provides a summary of issues raised during the comment period, a response to those issues, and a list of recommended revisions to the plan. The PRD and the IRS will be made available for public review. Once adopted, this plan will serve as the basis for the management of state-owned tide and submerged lands within the planning area.

The LKSSP proposes to classify approximately 426,700 acres of state-owned tide, submerged, and shorelands in the Lower Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta as Wildlife Habitat and Public Recreation Land, and Waterfront Development Land. The plan boundary extends from Akiak in the northeast, west to Nunapitchuk and south to the 3-mile limit of Kuskokwim Bay where it abuts the northwest corner of the Bristol Bay Area plan above Quinhagak. The planning area is within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, and includes the communities of Akiak, Kwethluk, Bethel, Nunapitchuk, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Oscarville, Eek, and Tuntutuliak.

Comments on the Public Review Draft of the Lower Kuskokwim Site Specific Plan must be received on or before May 20, 2024 by email to [email protected], fax at 907-269-8915, or through the online Public Comment Portal at https://tinyurl.com/yrbk7xa5. The plan can be viewed on the Public Comment Portal or on the State of Alaska Online Public Notices webpage at http://notice.alaska.gov/215065.

Mailed comments must be received by May 20, 2024 and should be mailed to the following:

DNR, DMLW

ATTN: RADS

550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1050

Anchorage, AK 99501

For more information, please contact Ridwan Akogun at [email protected].

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aides, services, or special modifications to submit a comment or participate in a meeting, should contact a person indicated above or contact the state TDD number (907)269-8411 seven days (7) in advance of meetings to arrange accommodations.