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Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) staff traveled to Haines the week of January 12, 2026 to meet with stakeholder groups in the community and facilitate discussions to provide these groups with opportunities to contribute to the Division’s planning efforts prior to the release of the draft management plan for public review. The following groups were included in the DFFP’s efforts to consult specific groups representing the local communities’ perspective in this planning effort.
- Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council – January 14, 2026
- Haines Borough – January 14, 2026
- Chilkoot Indian Association – January 15, 2026
- Chilkat Indian Village – Rescheduled
An outline of the discussion framework (adapted from National Coalition of Dialogue & Deliberation resources) with summaries of each group’s contributions can be found under the Meeting Archives heading. Links to these discussion summaries are listed as Stakeholder Group Discussions.
Upper Lynn Canal Fish and Game Advisory council provided consultation to DFFP in their January 5, 2026 meeting and through written correspondence.
The revision process is designed to include considerations from members of the public, regional and local Alaska Native corporations, industry representatives, and other interest groups. Throughout this process, opportunities for public comment will be shared here and through the State of Alaska Online Public Notice platform.
A schedule of public meetings can be found below, and will be updated as more meetings are planned for the future.
| Date | Purpose | Location | Join Online |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Initial Public Meeting
May 8, 2024 6:30–8:00pm |
-Introduce HSFRMA and forest management -Introduce Carbon market in Alaska -Outline amendment process -Q & A Session |
Lobby, Chilkat Center for the Arts | This meeting has already occurred. |
|
Amendment Update and Survey Summary Meeting
October 9, 2024 6:30-8:00pm |
-Update progress with plan amendment -Discuss results of public surveys released throughout the summer -Identify dates of future meetings and/or release of plan draft for public review |
Lobby, Chilkat Center for the Arts
1 Theater Dr. Haines, AK 99827 |
This meeting has already occurred. |
|
Resumed Scoping Informational Meeting
August 25, 2025 6:30–8:00 pm |
-Discuss planning process and tentative timeline -Current and future opportunities to participate -Q & A with DOF Staff |
Classroom, Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center
9 Chilkat Ave. Klukwan, AK 99827 |
This meeting has already occurred. |
|
Resumed Scoping Informational Meeting
August 26, 2025 6:30-8:00 pm |
-Discuss planning process and tentative timeline -Current and future opportunities to participate -Q & A with DOF Staff |
Online | This meeting has already occurred. |
|
Resumed Scoping Informational Meeting
August 27, 2025 6:30-8:00 pm |
-Discuss planning process and tentative timeline -Current and future opportunities to participate -Q & A with DOF Staff |
Lobby, Chilkat Center for the Arts | This meeting has already occurred. |
Surveys
These surveys address topics that are relevant to the scope of this plan amendment and are intended to provide members of the public with an opportunity to provide input while the DOF is developing management plan policy. These surveys will remain open for submissions through September 30, 2025. Comments submitted through the survey and interactive map products will contribute to the discussion and analysis of the survey topics and the results will be shared during public review meetings in Fall 2025. The comments are anonymous and will be used for analysis only. Information submitted through these scoping surveys will not be recorded as official public comments.
Use the links above to share your thoughts on topics including:
- Forest Access
- Commercial Recreation
- Recreation Development
- Carbon Offset Projects
- Five Year Forest Management Schedule
- Recommended Additions to Haines State Forest
- Mt. Ripinski Non-Motorized Area
- Wildland Fire Management
- Research Uses
- Subsistence Use
- Placer Mining
- Hunting and Trapping
Interactive map
View the map below of the Haines State Forest Resource Management Area. This map displays active forest roads, unit and subunit boundaries, and land classifications. An “Edit” option allows users to mark locations and add text comments to those points. This tutorial describes how users can add information to the interactive map.
Public Comment
After the initial meetings and surveys throughout the summer, a draft will be released for public review and the plan will be open for public comment for at least 30 days. Share your feedback when the amended plan draft is released for public review.
Make Your Comments Count
Here is a link to a brochure created by DNR’s Division of Mining, Lands, and Water
explaining how your comments can be most valuable to reviewers.
Comments must be submitted in writing, and may be submitted by email to dnr.dof.haines@alaska.gov
Or by mail to
Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection
ATTN: Forest Planning
500 W 7th Ave. Ste 1450
Anchorage, AK 99501-3566
Stakeholder Group Discussions
- Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Preliminary Discussion – December 17, 2025
- Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Follow-up Discussion – January 14, 2026
- Haines Borough Discussion – January 14, 2026
- Chilkoot Indian Association Discussion – January 15, 2026
Public Meetings
Materials from public meetings held during the amendment process will be posted here as meetings occur. A schedule of past and upcoming meetings can be found in the How You Can Participate section of this website.
Haines Opening Meeting (May 8, 2024)
Scoping Period Review Informational Meeting (October 9, 2024)
View the meeting
Transcript
- HSFRMA Purpose & Terminology
- HSFRMA land classification maps
- Recreation Survey Summary
- Subsistence Survey Summary
- Broad Forestry Survey Summary
- Forest Projects Survey Summary
Resumed Scoping Virtual Information Meeting (August 26, 2025)
View the meeting
Transcript
Presentation Slides
Meeting Handout
The Haines State Forest Resource Management Area contains 260,000 acres managed by the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection that include the watersheds of the Chilkoot, Chilkat, and Ferebee rivers within its boundary. Located in a transition zone between the wet coastal climate and the dry, cold interior, the Forest provides suitable conditions for a diversity of plants and wildlife. The rugged topography ranges from sea level to over 7,000 feet.
The Forest is composed mostly of two forest types: western hemlock/Sitka spruce, and black cottonwood/willow. Lodgepole pine and paper birch occur as minor species throughout the Forest.
Haines State Forest Resource Management Area is managed for multiple use under the sustained yield principles of AS 41.17. Multiple use management may include a mix of timber harvest, recreation, mining, traditional uses, fish and wildlife habitat protection, or tourism. Levels of use depend on the resources present in an area. Sustained yield management places responsibility on the State of Alaska to ensure that the management of our forests guarantees perpetual supplies of renewable resources and serves the needs of all Alaska for the many products, benefits, and services obtained from them.
State of Alaska Land Management Planning
The planning process is designed to ensure participation by the public and government agencies, to provide opportunities for review and amendment of the plan. An outline of the planning process is provided below.
- Identify Issues: In some cases, an amendment occurs in response to an administrative directive, either from the Governor or the DNR Commissioner. Other times, DOF draws on the experience of Haines State Forest resource forester, local expertise, and public insight to identify ways that a current plan is not able to effectively guide management decision-making for a State Forest. In this case, DOF has been directed by the Commissioner of DNR to amend the Haines State Forest management plan.
- Determine necessary level of revision: Based on the proposed changes to the plan document, DOF decides whether an amendment, minor change, or special exception is the best process for capturing those changes. An amendment is an edit that “permanently changes the forest management plan by adding to or modifying the basic management intent for one or more of the units or subunits, by changing allowed or prohibited uses, guidelines, or policies” (HSF Management Plan, 2002). Due to the insertion of language describing Carbon Offset Projects, the current process is an amendment.
- Announce amendment intentions with the public.
- Prepare draft plan: Create a draft plan that reflects resource values, as well as public and DOF goals. DOF and other agencies review the first draft and settle any land use conflicts that remain or propose the best alternatives for public review.
- Agency review of draft plan: DOF collaborates with other agencies including Department of Natural resources (DNR) Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation; DNR Division of Mining, Land and Water; and Alaska Department of Fish and Game Habitat and Restoration Division in the amendment process. A draft of the management plan is shared with these agencies for review before it is made available to the public.
- Adjust plan content based on agency comments.
- Public review of draft plan: The draft plan is released for public review. Public meetings are held to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the draft plan and to identify parts that need to be changed. Public review drafts are open for comment for at least 30 days.
- Prepare issue response summary: Agency and public comments are reviewed, and the draft plan is revised as necessary. The final plan and Issue Response Summary are prepared for public review.
- Prepare the plan for publication: Review agency and public comments and revise the plan.
- Approve plan: The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources approves and signs the plan.
- Implement plan: The plan guides management decisions for lands within Haines State Forest Resource Management Area.
A carbon offset credit is a financial instrument representing a reduction or removal of one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. These credits are used by companies or other entities to compensate for their own carbon emissions by investing in environmental projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gasses.
A carbon offset project is designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or capture and store carbon from the atmosphere to compensate for emissions made elsewhere.
These projects help businesses, governments, and other entities achieve carbon neutrality or reduced carbon footprints through the purchase of carbon offsets.
Examples of carbon offset projects:
Forestry and Land Use Projects:
These include reforestation, afforestation (planting trees where there were none before), improved forest management, and conservation projects.
Trees naturally absorb and sequester CO2 from the atmosphere, making them an effective basis for carbon offset projects.
Methane Capture Projects:
These projects prevent methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from entering the atmosphere.
Common sources include landfills, agricultural operations (like livestock), and wastewater treatment facilities.
Energy Efficiency Projects:
Improving energy efficiency in buildings, manufacturing, and transportation can significantly reduce emissions.
Projects might involve upgrading equipment, improving building insulation, or enhancing industrial processes to use less energy.
80% of revenue from carbon offset projects shall be deposited into the State general fund, where the Legislature can appropriate it for other uses. 20% of revenue, as required by AS 38.95.430, shall be deposited into the renewable energy grant fund, a fund established to promote the development of renewable energy projects throughout Alaska aiming to reduce energy costs and decrease the state’s dependence on fossil fuel.
Trevor Dobell-Carlsson
Forest Planner and Federal
Programs Manager
Alaska DNR | Division of
Forestry & Fire Protection
500 W 7th Ave. Ste 1450
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 269-8667
Greg Palmieri
Haines SF Resource
Forester
Alaska DNR | Division of
Forestry & Fire Protection
PO Box 263
Haines, AK 99827
(907) 766-2120
Geneva Preston
Forest Planner
Alaska DNR | Division of
Forestry & Fire Protection
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99809
(907) 451-1645
Or email dnr.dof.haines@alaska.gov