The bill, identified as 34-GH1494\A, seeks to expand the Tanana Valley State Forest by repealing and reenacting AS 41.17.400(d), which includes detailed legal descriptions of specific parcels of state-owned or acquired land and water to be incorporated into the forest. This expansion aims to enhance the management and conservation of the forest by clearly defining its boundaries and the land included, facilitating better oversight and protection of its resources. The bill also outlines specific land designations and exclusions within various townships in the Fairbanks Meridian area, particularly focusing on areas near the Alyeska Pipeline right-of-way and the Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project.

Significant deletions from current law include the removal of specific government lots and exclusions related to military reservations, particularly Fort Greely. The bill introduces a new subsection to AS 41.17.400, clarifying that the term "section" encompasses both surveyed and unsurveyed protracted sections, thereby broadening the scope of land management. Additionally, it empowers the Department of Natural Resources to adopt necessary regulations to implement these changes, with the bill set to take effect on July 1, 2025, except for the regulations section, which takes effect immediately. Overall, the legislation aims to provide clear guidelines for land use and management while considering environmental and military factors in land planning.

Statutes affected:
HB0218A, AM HB 218, introduced 05/02/2025: 41.17.400