The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection is establishing a new Susitna Valley Forest management plan. This plan is created to replace the Susitna Forestry guidelines created in 1991. The 1991 guidelines, being over 30 years old, are outdated and do not reflect the current management objectives. The intent of replacing these guidelines is to bolster local economies by creating incentives for timber harvesting while maintaining multi-use forests. The Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry plans to work with communities to better encompass guidelines that reflect local priorities while also generating revenue for the private and public sector.

This area includes 772,416 acres with a total of 488,735 acres of land greater than a 10 percent tree coverage The Susitna-Matanuska Valley timber type is primarily composed of white spruce-birch stands, paper birch and black spruce stands also make up a significant portion of the area. Other species found include aspen and balsam poplar, which are mixed throughout different stands. Cottonwood, alder and willow can be found in riparian zones. Most of this land is away from population centers and elevation, generally, is under 1000’. The timber stands show uniformity in age, with an average of approximately 120 years. There is a lack of advanced regeneration. This age distribution and regeneration pattern indicates that the area likely underwent a major disturbance, possibly a significant fire, around 1890.

Other than forestry land use, the area also boasts mineral rich resources that have been mined for decades. Rivers and lakes make great opportunities for recreation such as hunting, fishing, rafting, hiking and camping in these areas.

There is abundant fish and wildlife throughout the area including moose, bear, bald eagle, perigon falcon, salmon, trout, and many other species found. The forest management process will consider these factors and work to mitigate encroachment and enhance wildlife habitat.

• Area Map
• Susitna Valley Inventory
• 1991 Susitna Valley Forest Management Plan

• Replace 1991 Susitna Valley Forestry Guidelines and develop a forest management plan for the forest classified land of the MatSu valley.
• Coordinate proposals with local communities.
• Create incentive for economically viable timber harvesting and forest management.
• Maintain public cooperation through education and a proactive approach to creating new guidelines.
• Maintain multi-use forests while also generating revenue for the private and public sector.
• Ease requirements for personal use and firewood harvesting.

• 1991 Plan Susitna_Forestry_Guidelines.pdf (alaska.gov)
• Planning Process
  • 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 MatSu 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 MatSu 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” (MatSu Management Plan,1991). 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.
  • 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.

• Public Meetings
  The purpose of this meeting is to scope public sentiment to areas included in the new forest management plan. By getting public involvement and comments we can gauge how to meet the needs of the public while also increasing levels of management for the area.
• Survey
  • Forest Projects in the Matsu
  • Recreation and Subsistence Use in The Matsu Valley