December 4, 2025, submitted by DFFP Special Projects Manager

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says it is interested in the public’s input on potentially expanding the state forest system by establishing a new state forest on the Kenai Peninsula to secure long-term investment in Alaska’s forest resources. This initiative would transfer primary management of state lands from the Division of Mining, Land, and Water to the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) and retain land within the state forest in state ownership for timber management under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield. 

Three in-person public meetings are scheduled for Seward, Soldotna and Ninilchik, followed by one virtual public meeting. The local meeting is set for 6 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Seward Community Library & Museum. 

The virtual meeting will be from 6 – 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, via Microsoft Teams Meeting. See attachment below for link and dial-in information.

https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/Attachment.aspx?id=158299

According to Alaska DNR, in a state forest, timber production, regeneration, and active management remain the primary goals while maintaining opportunities for recreation, hunting, fishing, and other public uses. Under Alaska law, only the Legislature can formally designate land as state forests.

The Alaska Timber Jobs Task Force Final Report from 2012 said the state envisioned the creation of a State Forest System encompassing 6,646,000 acres in six state forests including 154,726 acres in a Kenai State Forest. 

The DFFP is also accepting written input on establishing a state forest in the Kenai Peninsula. Comments can be submitted by email to stateforests@alaska.gov or by physical mail to Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, ATTN: Special Projects Coordinator, 550 W. 7th Ave. Ste. 1450, Anchorage, AK 99501. Comments must be received by 5 p.m., January 16.

For questions, contact the DFFP Special Projects Manager at stateforests@alaska.gov.

More information can be found at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=221814