An application for a gas exploration license in the Susitna Valley is now open for public comment.
The Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas, or DOG, released a map covering a large swath of land in the Upper Susitna Valley. It includes Nancy Lake and Willow Creek State Recreation Areas. Parts of Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Skwentna, and Willow are also within the mapped boundaries of the proposal.
DNR Communications Director Lorraine Henry says it is standard to not show the exact location of the site. Instead, a map of the general vicinity of the proposed land for exploration is included with the public notice. One application was received for two licenses in the Susitna Valley this year.
According to DNR, limited information is provided during the beginning stages of the process while they are determining if it’s in the State’s best interest. Henry says more information will be provided in later stages.
Following this comment period, the State will draft a preliminary written finding that will include the actual proposal area. And public comments will be open again before it goes to final finding.
In 2022, the same approximate area was included in a gas exploration license request. The application was issued a positive final finding, but the company did not move forward with the gas exploration licenses authorized by that decision.
According to the DOG, land use classifications and land use plans are used in reviewing the proposals. And other State agencies are invited to provide comments during the public comment periods.
Henry says the DNR does not have a firm timeline for when a preliminary finding might be issued.
Public comments on this initial stage of the license application are due to the DOG by October 7th.
