Alaska Department of Natural Resources
03/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/05/2026 16:53
Land Use Permit Application for Off-Road Winter Travel - North Fork Chena River/Trail - LAS 35888
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Land Use Permit Application for Off-Road Winter Travel - North Fork Chena River/Trail - LAS 35888
Subject to AS 38.05.850, the Northern Regional Land Office has received an application for the following:
APPLICANT: Expand Energy
PROJECT NAME: LAS 35888
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: The proposed land use permit is located on a route along the North Fork Chena River Trail, from Chena Hot Springs Road (MP 55) east to the Steese National Conservation Area (See Location Map).
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 3 North, Range 8 East, Sections 1, 12-14, 22-23
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 3 North, Range 9 East, Section 6
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 4 North, Range 9 East, Sections 22-24, 27-28, 31-33
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 4 North, Range 10 East, Sections 19-21, 27-28, 34-36
REQUESTED ACTIVITY: Expand Energy has applied for a land use permit for winter off road travel on state managed easements, uplands, and shorelands of the North Fork of the Chena River. The total length of travel on state management land is approximately 18 miles. The purpose of the winter off road travel is to transport heavy excavation equipment to a mining site located on adjacent BLM lands, for mine reclamation and stream restoration. The proposed travel will take place during conditions with sufficient snow depth and ground freeze to minimize impact. The travel will occur during the project mobilization in the spring of 2026 and at the estimated project completion in the spring of 2029, at which time the equipment will be transported back out. Depending on project needs, approximately 2-3 additional winter round trips per year may be required for delivering supplies and/or removal of the waste from the project site. It is anticipated that the brush/tree clearing will be no greater than 20 feet in width and an effort will be made to keep clearing to what is minimally necessary to accommodate the safe passage of 12-ft wide excavation equipment. Access is through the Chena Hot Springs Road, access easement ADL 402674, and RST 231 - North Fork Chena River / Trail.
REQUESTED TERM: 5 Years
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: March 19, 2026.
ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS: Location map
The public is invited to comment on this activity. The purpose of this notice is to gather input before a decision is made on this activity. To ensure consideration, written comments must be received by the Division of Mining, Land and Water at 3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 on or before the date noted above. Comments, application copy, or questions about this activity should be directed to David Hite, Phone: 907-451-2729; Fax: 907-451-2751; or e-mail: [email protected].
After review and adjudication, we may issue an authorization with stipulations for the activity. The activity may be modified during the review and adjudication process.
DNR-DMLW complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services or special modifications to comment should contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services.
The DMLW reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.
APPLICANT: Expand Energy
PROJECT NAME: LAS 35888
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: The proposed land use permit is located on a route along the North Fork Chena River Trail, from Chena Hot Springs Road (MP 55) east to the Steese National Conservation Area (See Location Map).
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 3 North, Range 8 East, Sections 1, 12-14, 22-23
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 3 North, Range 9 East, Section 6
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 4 North, Range 9 East, Sections 22-24, 27-28, 31-33
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 4 North, Range 10 East, Sections 19-21, 27-28, 34-36
REQUESTED ACTIVITY: Expand Energy has applied for a land use permit for winter off road travel on state managed easements, uplands, and shorelands of the North Fork of the Chena River. The total length of travel on state management land is approximately 18 miles. The purpose of the winter off road travel is to transport heavy excavation equipment to a mining site located on adjacent BLM lands, for mine reclamation and stream restoration. The proposed travel will take place during conditions with sufficient snow depth and ground freeze to minimize impact. The travel will occur during the project mobilization in the spring of 2026 and at the estimated project completion in the spring of 2029, at which time the equipment will be transported back out. Depending on project needs, approximately 2-3 additional winter round trips per year may be required for delivering supplies and/or removal of the waste from the project site. It is anticipated that the brush/tree clearing will be no greater than 20 feet in width and an effort will be made to keep clearing to what is minimally necessary to accommodate the safe passage of 12-ft wide excavation equipment. Access is through the Chena Hot Springs Road, access easement ADL 402674, and RST 231 - North Fork Chena River / Trail.
REQUESTED TERM: 5 Years
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: March 19, 2026.
ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS: Location map
The public is invited to comment on this activity. The purpose of this notice is to gather input before a decision is made on this activity. To ensure consideration, written comments must be received by the Division of Mining, Land and Water at 3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 on or before the date noted above. Comments, application copy, or questions about this activity should be directed to David Hite, Phone: 907-451-2729; Fax: 907-451-2751; or e-mail: [email protected].
After review and adjudication, we may issue an authorization with stipulations for the activity. The activity may be modified during the review and adjudication process.
DNR-DMLW complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services or special modifications to comment should contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services.
The DMLW reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.
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| Created 3/5/2026 1:48:12 PM by drhite |
Details
| Department: | Natural Resources |
| Category: | Public Notices |
| Sub-Category: | |
| Location(s): | Statewide |
| Project/Regulation #: | |
| Publish Date: | 3/5/2026 |
| Archive Date: | 3/19/2026 |
| Events/Deadlines: | |
Alaska Department of Natural Resources published this content on March 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 05, 2026 at 22:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]