Tanana Valley State Forest Management Plan: Unit 2 Amendment

The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources and the Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game adopted changes to the Unit 2 guidelines of the Tanana Valley State Forest Management Plan on June 23, 2003.

Planning Process for Unit 2 of the Tanana Valley State Forest

In the Fall of 2002, Division of Forestry planning staff started a public process to determine how to manage State Forest lands in Unit 2 of the Tanana Valley State Forest (TVSF). Unit 2 encompasses about 160,000 acres along the Tanana River west of Old Minto, between Minto and Nenana (Map of Unit 2).

Background

Planning issues were first raised in 1997 when the Division of Forestry proposed a timber sale in Unit 2. After reviewing public comments and concerns about the proposed sale, the Commissioner of Natural Resources directed Forestry to put the sale on hold. Forestry promised to do more detailed public planning for Unit 2 before proceeding with any timber sales in the unit. The Division of Forestry updated the management plan for all but Unit 2 of the Tanana Valley State Forest in 2001. The Unit 2 planning process amended the guidelines for Unit 2.

The Division of Forestry conducted substantial outreach during Summer 2002 (holding meetings and discussions and mailing newsletters) to identify stakeholders. Stakeholder planning meetings were held from November to February. Thirteen stakeholders participated in the planning team meetings, representing environmental concerns, the timber industry, Native interests, tourism operators, subsistence users, hunters, dog mushers, fish and wildlife interests, oil and gas, mineral interests, land management, and state forestry.

Public Outreach

In March 2003, the Division of Forestry distributed newsletters summarizing the recommended changes, and asked for public comment in writing and at a series of public meetings in the communities near Unit 2. The Division of Forestry held meetings in Minto, Nenana, Fairbanks, and Manley Hot Springs. Meetings were attended by a moderate number of people interested in the proposed guidelines for the area. Most of the people attending the meetings felt that their concerns had been addressed by the proposed changes, and no new concerns were raised that could be addressed by the plan amendment. Based on those meetings, no changes were made to the proposed amendment.

For more information about the planning process, see the summary newsletters below.

November 2002 Newsletter (PDF)

• Tanana Valley State Forest
• Preparing a plan for Unit 2
• Issues that will be addressed
• Acknowledgements

March 2003 Newsletter (PDF)

• Proposed changes to the TVSF Plan
• Summary of the Planning Team Meetings

May 2003 Newsletter (PDF)

• Final public notice before adopting proposed amendment

List of public comments, and the Division of Forestry's responses (PDF)

Final Unit 2 Amendment to the TVSF Plan (PDF)

Questions? Contact:
Alison Arians
DNR Division of Forestry
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1450
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 269-8450
Email